I 



LIB RARY OF CONGRESS. 



SheH' 



£i:-^. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



WAYS AND MEANS 



FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY 
OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 



A hook of suggestions for the prayer-meeting, 
the committees, and all lines of Christian work 
adopted by Christian Endeavor Societies, 



-7 

REV. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 

President of the United Society of Christian Endeavor. 

Author of " The Mossback Correspondence," " Young People's 
Prayer-nieetings/'J^JCiie-Qlildren and the Church," etc. 



BOSTON 

D LOTHROP COMPANY 

WASHINGTON STREET OPPOSITE BROMFIELD 




\ 



A^ • 






Copyright, 1890, 

LY 

D. LoTHROP Company. 



INTRODUCTION, 



THIS book in every line has been dictated by experience. There 
are no mere theories in it. Every plan suggested has been 
tried successfully in some society of Christian Endeavor. It is given 
to the public in response to a very generally expressed desire for 
such a publication. For several years past many correspondents have 
suggested that among the growing Christian Endeavor Societies, with 
their hundreds of thousands of members, such a book had become 
well nigh a necessity. Most of the suggestions herein contained have 
appeared in the columns of The Golden Rule, but in the cumbrous files 
of a weekly newspaper they cannot readily be found, and the fact 
that they have thus appeared has created a demand for their publica- 
tion in book form. The editor wishes to express his sincere thanks 
to the many friends who have contributed to these pages, whose 
names will be found in the index, and he regrets that it has seemed 
necessary to include so many of his own articles ; but the fact that he 
has had occasion during the last ten years to write upon almost every 
phase of the work of the Christian Endeavor Society, while others 
have written only on special features of the organization, must be his 
excuse for including in this compilation so much of his own work. 
When the " familiar letters " have been reproduced he has deemed it 
best to retain their " familiar " correspondence style, thinking that in 
this informal form they would be quite as useful as if rewritten in 
more didactic style. Though this book deals largely with methods 
it is hoped that the earnest spiritual purpose underlying all these 
methods will not be overlooked. The editor fully realizes that meth- 
ods and plans and organizations are of no avail without the informing 
and pervading presence of the Spirit of God, but that God has wonder- 
fully and graciously used these methods of the Christian Endeavor 
Society, the history of the movement makes plain, and the editor 
devoutly prays that this volume, which details and emphasizes these 
plans, may also be used for the further advancement of the Kingdom 
of God among the young people of this generation. 

F. E. Clark. 
Boston, Oct. i, 1890. 



WAYS AND MEANS. 



A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 
MOVEMENT. 

BY REV. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 

I HAVE been frequently requested by friends to give 
some authentic account of the origin of the Young Peo- 
ple's Societies of Christian Endeavor. I have hesitated 
somewhat to do this, feeling that such an account might 
savor of self-gratulation ; also, that a movement which is 
still so young as is this could hardly have much history 
worth recording. Of late, however, these calls for a chap- 
ter of history have been more numerous than ever, and 
certain misrepresentations concerning the origin of the 
society have appeared, which make it more necessary to 
give a succinct account of the earliest years of the move- 
ment. I hope, also, to make it plain that for this soci- 
ety, which is assuming such large proportions throughout 
the world, no special credit is due to any one man, but 
rather to a large number of faithful ministers and laymen, 
who were eager for some means of developing the religious 
life of their young people. Most manifest has been the 
leading of the Spirit of God in all this work from its 
inception. 

In the winter of 1880-8 1 a precious revival spirit visited 
the Williston Church, of Portland, Me., and many, espe- 
cially among the young people, gave their hearts to God. 



2 IVaj's and Mea7ts. 

The pastor and older church-members were naturally 
anxious concerning these young disciples, and felt that 
great wisdom and care were necessary to keep them true 
to the Saviour during the first critical years of their disci- 
pleship. The problem weighed heavily upon their minds, 
for they felt that neither the Sunday-school, nor the church 
prayer-meeting, nor the young people's prayer-meeting, 
though all well sustained and admirable in their way, were 
sufficient to hold and mould the Christian character of 
these young converts. There was a gap between conver- 
sion and church-membership to be filled, and all these 
young souls were to be trained and set at work. How 
should these things be done? These were the pressing 
problems. After much prayer and thought, the pastor of 
the church invited the recent converts, as well as the 
young church-members, to his house, on the evening of 
February 2, 1881, and after an hour of social intercourse 
presented a constitution, which he had previously drawn 
up, of the "Williston Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor." This constitution is essentially the same as 
that adopted by the great majority of Societies of Chris- 
tian Endeavor at the present day. 

Some three years later, at the request of one of the 
national conventions, with the aid of Rev. S. W. Adriance, 
the writer revised the constitution and framed the by-laws, 
adding various committees as they now appear in the 
"Model Constitution." But the essential features of the 
work were in the first constitution. The definition of the 
object, the two classes of members, the "prayer-meeting 
pledge" (the most important part of \,he constitution), the 
consecration or experience meeting, the roll-call, the pro- 
vision for dropping members, and the three main com- 
mittees, are provisions which are all found in the first 
constitution. 

Thus it will be seen that the Society of Christian 
Endeavor was born of a revival, and was the outcome of a 



IVafS and Means. 3 

real, felt necessity, the necessity of training and guiding 
aright the young Christians who might otherwise stray 
away. It will be also seen that it was a mere experiment, 
in the first place, and that little credit is due to the origi- 
nator except for an effort to train his own young people in 
the Christian life, an effort which is always made by every 
true pastor. To his delight, and somewhat, also, it must 
be confessed, to his surprise, nearly all the young people 
who assembled at that pastor's house on the second of 
February signed the constitution containing the stringent 
prayer-meeting clause, and, to his still greater delight, 
they lived up to it. The young people's meeting took a 
fresh start ; the spiritual life of the members was intensi- 
fied ; their activities were very greatly enlarged ; and, so far 
as they were concerned, the problem of leading them to 
confess Christ with their lips, of setting them at work and 
keeping them at work, seemed to be solved. When that 
pastor also found that in many other churches the same 
efforts accomplished the same results, he began to feel 
that the hand of the Lord was in it. 

The first knowledge of this experiment given to the 
world was contained in an article published in The Congre- 
gationalist, of Boston, in August, 188 1, entitled, "How 
One Church Cares for its Young People." This article, 
and others which followed it, at once brought letters from 
pastors and Christian workers in all parts of the country. 
First they came singly, then in pairs, and then in scores, 
almost every day, and they have kept coming, in con- 
stantly increasing numbers, ever since. One of the first 
pastors to introduce this system of Christian nurture 
among his young people was Rev. C. A. Dickinson, then 
pastor of the Second Parish Church, of Portland, and no 
small share of the success of the movement has been due 
ever since to his wisdom and counsel. The second soci- 
ety, however, was established in Newburyport, Mass., by 
Rev. C. P. Mills, in the same year that the movement orig- 



4 IVaj/s a7id Means. 

inated. He has also ever since been one of the stanch 
friends of the cause ; while another gentleman, who soon 
threw himself into the movement with characteristic 
energy, was Rev. James L. Hill, then of Lynn, and now of 
Medford. The first President of the United Society, Mr. 
W. J. Van Patten, of Burlington, Vt., was one of the first 
to recognize the potency of the movement, and, in several 
long letters, suggested plans for future growth which have 
since been carried out, and have demonstrated his wisdom 
and sagacity. The first man who signed the constitution, 
at his pastor's house, on that winter evening in 1881, was 
Mr. W. H. Pennell, teacher, in the Williston Sunday- 
school, of a large class of young men. He took this step, 
perhaps, as much to help his boys as for any other reason. 
His whole-souled support has never been wanting from 
that day to this, and the National Convention honored his 
early devotion to the work by choosing him for three suc- 
cessive years its president. Among others conspicuous in 
the early history of the movement were Rev. S. W. 
Adriance, of Woodfords, now of Lowell; Mr. J. W. Ste- 
venson, of Portland ; Eli Manchester, Jr., of New Haven, 
Conn., and others whose names we cannot mention, but 
who will not soon be forgotten. 

Since this short history is given in part to correct misap- 
prehension, it may be well to add that the writer was quite 
surprised to learn from a Western paper, that he obtained 
the Christian Endeavor idea from Rev. Edward Eggleston. 
This talented author once was the pastor of a church 
called "The church of Christian Endeavor," as is well 
known, but no organization, I think, like the present 
societies ever existed in his church. This society has 
also been said to have been modeled after a young peo- 
ple's society in Dr. Cuyler's church, in Brooklyn. This 
most wise and eminent pastor, who has done so much to 
endear him to the young people of America, does, indeed, 
have a vigorous young people's organization in his church, 



Waj/s and Means. 5 

and the success of this effort was an inspiration to the 
writer to believe that young people could be effectively 
organized for Christian work. But what the special char- 
acteristics of this society are he does not, even now, know. 
So far as careful search reveals, the distinctive features of 
the Christian Endeavor movement, the strict prayer- 
meeting pledge, the consecration-meeting, the roll-call, the 
variety of committee work, and the duties of these commit- 
tees, are characteristics of this organization alone. At 
first, as has been shown, the Society of Christian Endea- 
vor grew apparently as it were by chance, if it is ever right 
to use such a word. Wherever one of the winged seeds of 
information was wafted, it usually " struck " and took root, 
and a little Christian Endeavor plant was the result; or, as 
some one wittily expressed it at one of our National Con- 
ventions : "The society was contagious, like the measles; 
if one church had it, the church next it was pretty sure to 
catch it also." 

For some months, in fact for years, little was done in a 
systematic or organized way to establish societies. As let- 
ters were received they were answered as fast as possible, 
and so it came about, that in different parts of the coun- 
try were those who had heard of and tried and believed in 
the organization, long before any "United Society" was 
proposed. One of the first developments of the new work 
was naturally in the line of annual conventions. Those 
interested were not content to work out the problem for 
themselves, they must come together and tell each other 
what great things the Lord had done for them. The first 
of these conferences was held June 2, 1882, in the Willis- 
ton church, Portland, Me. A glowing newspaper TCport, 
which lies before me, shows that even in the early days, 
when societies were few and numbers small, enthusiasm 
and devotion were not lacking. There were but six soci- 
eties recorded then, though doubtless there were others (as 
the one in Newburyport, Mass.), which were not then 



6 Waj/s and Means. 

known to the conference. These six societies were in the 
WiUiston, Second Parish, West and St. Lawrence Street 
Churches, of Portland, in one of the churches of Bath, and 
one in Hampden, Me. These six societies, except the one 
in Hampden, were represented, and gave encouraging 
reports of the work done. 

The programme consisted of discussions in the after- 
noon, of "The Prayer- Meeting," "The Experience-Meet- 
ing," "The Sociables" and "The Lookout Committee 
Work," and of addresses in the evening by Rev. C. A. 
Dickinson, Rev. A. H. Wright and Rev. F. E. Clark. At 
this meeting, Mr. W. H. Pennell was chosen President of 
the Conference, and Mr. J. W. Stevenson, Secretary, 
offices which they filled for three years, to the great benefit 
of the society. In these six societies were 481 members, 
the Williston Society leading off with 168. 

Small as this meeting was, in comparison with the great 
gathering of recent years, when churches are crowded 
with delegates and the societies are many thousand strong, 
there was, nevertheless, power and promise in this confer- 
ence, as is shown by the prayer of faith offered by one 
who recorded in print the chronicles of this Convention : 
" May the time speedily come when every church in our 
land shall cherish in its midst one of these societies of 
earnest Christian Endeavor." With only six or seven soci- 
eties to point to, this wish seemed, perhaps, wild and 
extravagant. It is only a few years since that conference 
was held, and already it seems far from improbable that 
the prophetic prayer may yet be fulfilled 

The next annual conference was held in the same city of 
Portland, June 7, 1883, but in another church, the Second 
Parish. A large growth over the preceding year was 
noted, though statistics were obtained from only fifty-three 
societies with 2,630 members. Of these fifty-three soci- 
eties the report says five were organized in i88i, twenty- 
one in 1882, and twenty-seven in the first five months of 



IVaj/s mtd Mea7is. 7 

1883, showing what an impetus to the work was given by 
the little Convention of the year before. Seventeen of 
these societies were found in Maine, eleven in Massachu- 
setts — forty-one in all New England; while of the other 
twelve, five were in New York, and the rest scattered 
through-out the West, a very large one being found in the 
First Congregational Church of Oakland, Cal. At this 
Convention the questions which have since become so 
familiar were discussed, and the usual business performed. 
Mr. W. J. Van Patten, afterward our President, was chosen 
Treasurer, and Vice-Presidents were selected from various 
States where any societies existed. Among the latter was 
the Rev. C. L. Goodell, D. D., the late revered pastor of 
the Pilgrim Church, St. Louis, who threw the generous 
weight of his influence on the side of this, as every good 
cause, declaring that "The society transplanted from Maine 
to Missouri had survived all injury," and, changing the fig- 
ure, that " it was feet for him to run all over the city on 
God's errands." 

Other gentlemen who were prominent and useful in 
this Convention were H. H. Burgess, Esq., Granville Sta- 
ples, and Rev. J. M. Louden, of Portland, and Rev. J. J. 
Hall, of Auburn. After this Convention the society held 
on the even tenor of its way, growing rapidly and steadily, 
but did not call another National Convention until Octo- 
ber 22, 1884, when it convened in Kirk Street Church, 
Lowell, the church of which Rev. C. A. Dickinson had 
become pastor. This was a two days' session, and was a 
large, enthusiastic meeting, though only 150 delegates 
from out of the city were in attendance. The Secretary 
reported that the society had nearly trebled during the 
past year, having grown to 151 societies, with 6,414 mem- 
bers. Notable addresses were made at this Convention by 
Rev. Drs. A. H. Plumb, Michael Burnham and Alexander 
McKenzie. 

The next National Convention convened July 9th and 



8 IVaj/s and Means, 

loth, at Ocean Park, a charming seaside resort near Old 
Orchard Beach, Me., and was by far the largest and most 
important of all conventions yet held. It was considered 
by the committee to be a doubtful experiment to go to a 
summer resort so far from a large city and church; but 
the success of the meeting proved their wisdom, and the 
society there adopted a most important principle : never to 
be dependent on private hospitality for entertainment. 

Not only was this Convention notable for good speeches, 
but for the inauguration of wise and far-reaching plans. 
The idea of securing a General Secretary who should give 
all his time to the work was here broached; $1,200 was 
raised to pay, in part, the salary, and, perhaps more 
important than all, the "United Society of Christian 
Endeavor" was founded and incorporated under the laws of 
Maine. At this Convention Mr. Van Patten was chosen 
President in place of Mr. Pennell, who had served the 
society so faithfully and acceptably for three years 
past. 

This Convention was also notable for the advent of sev- 
eral earnest workers who were soon to become prominent 
in the society, notably: Rev. H. B. Grose, of the first Bab- 
tist Church, Poughkeepsie, Rev. R. W. Brokaw, of the 
Reformed Church, Belleville, and Rev. N. Boynton, of 
Haverhill, who are now among the Trustees of the United 
Society. Rev. E. Blakeslee, who has done so much for our 
society in Connecticut, was also prominent in this Conven- 
tion, as were also Dr. Hawes, of Burlington, and Rev. O. 
P. Gifford, who gave excellent addresses, and Messrs. 
Shumway, Hobbs and Manchester, besides many other 
earnest workers. 

It seems, however, almost invidious to mention names 
when so many were active and efficient. Rev. J. L. 
Hill demonstrated his power as a money-raiser at this Con- 
vention. As one of the correspondents remarked, in a let- 
ter to the Chicago Advance about this Convention : " Mr. 



IVajys and Means, 9 

Kimball, the debt-lifter may well look out for his laurels 
when Mr. Hill, of Lynn, is about." 

The society had now grown to 253 societies, with 14,892 
members in all parts of the country. They had begun to 
be reported in foreign lands, also, and news came of flour- 
ishing Christian Endeavor societies in Foochow, Honolulu, 
and other foreign lands. From this Convention the 
work received a marvelous impulse, and everywhere the 
churches began to establish societies. The serious question 
of who should be the Secretary now agitated the Trustees 
of the United Society. At last, Rev. S. W. Adriance was 
chosen, and though at first he thought he should be able to 
accept the place permanently, he found, after a month or 
two, much to the regret of the trustees, that the claims 
of his church were too strong to resist, and Mr. Geo. M. 
Ward, of Lowell, who had been previously chosen Treas- 
urer at the Ocean Park Convention, was elected by the 
Trustees to fill the vacant office in the fall of 1885. 

In the spring of 1890 Mr. J. W. Baer, of Minnesota, was 
chosen to fill the general secretaryship which, because of 
ill health, Mr. Ward was compelled to resign. 

Mr. William Shaw, of Boston, was then chosen the 
efficient Treasurer of the society. Headquarters of the 
United Society were established at No. 8 Beacon Street, 
Boston, but were soon removed to more commodious 
rooms at No. 50 Bromfield Street. The Fifth Annual 
convention was held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 
6-8, 1886, and was a large and enthusiastic gathering. 
In the summer of 1887, at the Saratoga Convention, Rev. 
F. E. Clark was chosen President of the United Society 
and editor of Christian Endeavor literature, a position 
which he accepted in the following autumn, resigning the 
pastorate of Phillips Church, Boston, to accept the posi- 
tion. The recent history must be dismissed in a few 
words, for it is so fresh in our minds that it need not be 
dwelt upon at length. 



10 Waj/s and Means, 

Some of the prominent features of the recent growth 
have been the establishment of State Unions in nearly all 
the States of the Union, many of these patterning after 
Connecticut, which led the way in the State organizations; 
the establishment of local unions in hundreds of places, 
the adoption of The. Golden Rule as the representative of 
the societies, have been some of the causes which, under 
the blessing of God, have increased the one society of 
1 88 1 to the growing myriads of the present time, with 
their hundreds of thousands of members in America, and 
many added thousands in Great Britain and all mission- 
ary lands. It would be pleasant to speak of the recent 
great National Conventions, so grandly sustained in num- 
bers and spiritual earnestness, of the large State Conven- 
tions scarcely less inspiring, and to mention by name the 
hundreds of earnest workers who have made the present 
growth possible. But space forbids, and the rapid growth 
makes all statistics untrustworthy. We can only say, 
"The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are 
glad." 

It remains to be said, that in his letter of acceptance 
the President of the United Society formulated certain 
principles which he presented to the societies as condi- 
tions on which he accepted their call. These principles 
have been adopted by many influential State Conventions 
and local unions in all parts of the country, and may 
fairly be considered the platform of principles on which 
the society stands. 

PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES. 

I St. The society of Christian Endeavor is not, and is 
not to be, an organization independent of the church. It 
is the Church at work for and with the young, and the 
young people at work for and with the Church. In all 
that we do and say, let us bear this in mind, and seek for 



IVaj/s and Means. II 

the fullest co-operation of pastors and church officers and 
members in carrying on our work. The society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor can always afford to wait rather than force 
itself upon an unwilling church. 

2d. Since the societies exist in every evangelical 
denomination, the basis of the union of the societies is one 
of common loyalty to Christ, common methods of service 
for Him, and mutual Christian affection, rather than a 
doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis. In such a union all 
evangelical Christians can unite without repudiating or 
being disloyal to any dienominational custom or tenet. 

3d. The purely Religious features of the organization 
shall always be paramount. The Society of Christian 
Endeavor centers about the prayer-meeting. The strict 
"prayer-meeting pledge," honestly interpreted, as experi- 
ence has proved, is essential to the continued success of a 
Society of Christian Endeavor. 

4th. The society of Christian Endeavor sympathizes 
with temperance and all true moral reforms, with wise 
philanthropic measures, and especially with missions at 
home and abroad ; yet is not to be used as a convenience 
by any organization to further ends other than its own. 

5th. The finances of the society shall be managed 
economically in accordance with the past policy of the 
Board of Trustees, and the raising of funds to support a 
large number of paid agents or Christian Endeavor mis- 
sionaries, either in connection with the United Society or 
the State Unions, is not contemplated. In winning our 
way we can best depend in the future as in the past upon 
the abundant dissemination of our literature, and on the 
voluntary and freely-given labors of our friends, rather 
than upon the paid services of local agents. 

The expenses of the central office will be largely for the 
publication of literature, and for the expenses of our Gen- 
eral Secretary in the field. In raising very large sums and 
employing many agents for whose work the United Society 



12 Waj/s mid Means. 

will be responsible, and yet which it cannot to any great 
extent control, we shall run the risk of losing the sympathy 
of the churches. There is little danger that the society will 
not grow with sufficient rapidity if every member does his 
best to make known our principles. Let it be our chief 
concern that our growth shall be as strong and substantial 
as it is rapid. In all State and local work the society can 
best rely upon the zeal and generosity of its friends, hun- 
dreds of whom, both laymen and ministers, are willing 
freely to lend their aid to our cause. 

The past three years have been the most remarkable in 
the history of the society. 

I St. On account of the marvelous increase in the 
number of societies. In July, 1887, there were 2,314; 
in July, 1889, 7,672; in June, 1890, 11,013. 

2d. For the increasing favor with which they are being 
received by the pastors and churches. The young people 
by their earnest endeavors, have convinced the doubters 
of their loyalty to both Christ and the church. One of 
the most interesting developments of the society has been 
along the line of work for the children, and Junior Socie- 
ties are increasing in numbers and efficiency. 

The great Convention held in Battery D. Armory Hall, 
Chicago, 111., July 5 th, 6th, 7th and 8th, was a remarkable 
gathering. Over five thousand delegates were present 
from thirty-three States and Territories. The addresses 
and papers were of a high order of merit. Rev. James 
W. Brooks, D. D., of St Louis ; Rev. John H. Barrows, D. 
D., of Chicago; Bishop Samuel Fallows, of Chicago; Rev. 
Arthur Mitchell, D. D., Prof. W. R. Harper, and Miss 
Frances Willard, were a few of the many eloquent speak- 
ers who addressed the Convention. 

The Eighth Annual Convention, which was held in the 
ist Regiment Armory Hall, Philadelphia, July 9th, loth 
and nth, was, in numbers and influence, the greatest Con- 
vention we have held. Over six thousand, five hundred 



Waj/s and Means. 13 

delegates were present, representing thirty-one States and 
Territories, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Ontario, Quebec 
and Nova Scotia. Among the many noted speakers were 
Rev. A. T. Pierson, D. D., Rev. J. W. Hamilton, D. D., 
Rev. O. P. Gifford, D. D., Rev. Geo. H. Wells, D. D., 
Major-General O. O. Howard, and Hon. John Wanamaker. 
President Harrison sent a telegram of greeting to the Con- 
vention. The work is growing steadily in England, and 
from all mission lands comes the news of the formation 
of societies that are proving very helpful in training the 
young people in Christian service. 

The Ninth Annual Convention, held at St Louis June 
12-15, 1890, was the greatest and in many respects the 
best of the series. The throngs attending the meeting 
were enormous, over 8,000 delegates being registered and 
fully 11,000 people being present at the principal meeting 
and the four overflow meetings held on the last evening of 
the session. The spiritual power was not inferior to the 
size of the convention, and it was pronounced by compe- 
tent judges to be, undoubtedly, the largest relegious con- 
vention ever held in America. Several new trustees of the 
United Society, representing all the evangelical denomina- 
tions, have recently been elected. At the present writing, 
October, 1890, there are nearly 12,000 societies known to 
exist, with fully 700,000 members. The United Society, 
since 1889, has not asked any contributions for its sup- 
port. It has become wholly self-sustaining by the sales of 
its literature, and because of the fact that its expenses are 
very small, most of the workers giving their services freely 
for love of the cause. 



Waj/s and Means. 15 

PART II. 

YOUNG PEOPLE'S 
SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS. 

BY REV. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 
ORGANIZED EFFORT. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor is 
simply an organized effort to lead the young people to 
Christ and into His church, to establish them firmly in the 
faith, and to set them at work in the Lord's Vineyard. 
The main point upon which the Constitution insists, is the 
weekly prayer-meeting, which each active member pledges 
himself or herself to attend (unless detained by some 
absolute necessity) and to participate in, in some way, if 
only by the repetition of a verse of Scripture. 

Once each month a special meeting of reconsecration to 
Christ is held, at which special pains are taken to see 
whether every active member is faithful to his pledge and 
true to Christ. The society may, and as an actual fact 
often does, branch off into many other departments of 
Christian effort, adapting itself to the local needs of each 
Church, but these rules concerning the prayer-meeting are 
imperative ; without them there cannot be a true Society 
of Christian Endeavor. 

It cannot be insisted on too strongly that the society of 
Christian Endeavor is first and last and always a Religious 
Society. It has social and literary and other features, but 
it is neither a social nor literary society. 

In the Platform of Principles set forth by the President 



1 6 Waj's and Means. 

of the United Society when he accepted the position, and 
since very generally endorsed by the societies and adopted 
by their Conventions, is the following : 

" The purely religious features of the organization shall 
always be paramount. The Society of Christian Endeavor 
centers about the prayer-meeting. The strict prayer-meet- 
ing pledge, honestly interpreted, is essential to the contin- 
ued success of a society of Christian Endeavor." 

A society thus organized among the young people has 
proved itself to be in many cases 

A TRAINING SCHOOL IN THE CHURCH. 

It gives the young Christian something to do at once. 

It accustoms him to the sound of his own voice in the 
prayer-meeting. 

It causes him to understand that he has a part to per- 
form in the activities of the church as well as the oldest 
Christian. It sends him upon a hundred errands for 
Christ. Very soon he learns that he has a duty in the 
general church prayer-meetings, and he becomes naturally 
and easily one of the pastor's trusted helpers. We are 
speaking from actual experience in this matter and are not 
theorizing. 

A generation of Christians trained from early boyhood 
and girlhood in this way, patiently, persistently, kindly, 
would be a generation of working Christians. 

This society is also a 

WATCH-TOWER FOR THE CHURCH. 

The pastor ought always if possible to attend the prayer- 
meetings and the social gatherings, and, unseen, keep his 
hands on the reins of the organization. If he does so, 
wisely and constantly, he cannot help knowing how the 
young converts are progressing in the Christian life. If 
they are faithful to their voluntary vows he knows it, and 
can mark with joy their growth in grace. If they are neg- 
ligent he knows that, and can at once look after and 
reclaim the unfaithful ones. 



Waj/s and Means. 17 

No month need ever go by without the pastor knowing 
the religious status of each of his young people. 

THE COMMITTEES. 

The various committees are very important features of 
the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. With 
faithful, earnest, intelligent committees, the work can 
scarcely fail to succeed. Perhaps the most important com- 
mittee is the "Lookout Committee." This committee has 
for part of its work to introduce new members to the soci- 
ety, and it should take great pains that only those who 
have begun the Christian life are thus introduced as active 
members. But its most delicate, and at the same time 
important duty, is the reclaiming of those who have grown 
lax and indifferent to their vows. If any Active Member 
is away from the monthly Consecration Meeting, the Look- 
out Committee should know the fact, and should find out 
the reason for the absence. The very fact that this com- 
mittee is on the "Lookout" will prove a salutary restraint 
upon many. There are but few young people who stay 
away who cannot be reclaimed and brought back to their 
allegiance by a wise and faithful Lookout Committee. 

The other committees, especially the Prayer-Meeting and 
Social Committees, are scarcely less important, but their 
duties are easily understood as defined in the Consitution,^ 
and their work will be defined and explained on other 
pages. 

All these committees, according to their zeal and devo- 
tion, can make much or little of their office. Each one of 
them affords a grand opportunity for efficient service if it 
is rightly used. 

WHO MAY BECOME MEMBERS t 

Should there be an age limit.? These are questions 

which are often asked. We are not in favor of a strict age 

limit, since youth and age are such variable terms. Many 

a man is old at twenty-five. Many a man at fifty is still 

* See Model Constitution, Ari VI., and By-Laws, Art, XII. 



1 8 Waj/s and Means. 

young. This matter can usually be left to the sanctified 
common sense of Christian men and women. As a gen- 
eral rule the older church members will feel that they can 
do more good by praying for the young people's meeting 
at home. Their presence in large numbers would embar- 
rass, and perhaps silence, many timid young Christians. 
Still there are exceptions to this rule. It is very essential 
that there should be in the society a number of older 
young people, say those between twenty and forty, to give 
stability to the work and to take the lead in the commit- 
tees. While the children should always be welcomed and 
encouraged to come, yet a society composed wholly of chil- 
ren will hardly succeed. On the younger side the age 
limit easily takes care of itself. Children whom their par- 
ents allow to be out in the evening are not too young to 
become members. The Junior Societies are being formed in 
large numbers and with excellent results for the training of 
the boys and girls under thirteen and fourteen years of age. 

THE CONSECRATION MEETING. 

This meeting is one of great importance. It may be 
called by various names: "Consecration," "Experience," 
" Progress," or simply the " Monthly Meeting," but by what- 
ever name it is called it should and may be made a real 
power. At this meeting, in some way, some expression of 
renewed loyalty to Christ should be obtained from every 
active member. When the roll is called it should be made 
a very serious matter, and the mere response to the name 
should be considered a reconsecration. Most societies have 
found it best to call the roll, not at the close, but during 
the progress of the meeting, so that each may respond to 
his name with a prayer, or a word of testimony, or a pas- 
sage of Scripture. This plan for many reasons is the best. 

THE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 

The duties of the active members are plain enough — 
humble Christian living, constant attendance upon the 
meetings, and constant participation. The duties of the 



Ways and Means. 19 

Associate Members are less easily defined. They are the 
young people who, while they are not willing to avow them- 
selves active Christians, are willing to put themselves 
under Christian influences, and are willing to receive the 
prayers of the Active Members. That they owe something 
to the society is plain. Habitual attendance upon the 
meetings should be required from the Associate Members, 
but not participation in the meeting. At the Consecration 
Meeting in some societies their names are called, for the 
purpose of finding out if they are present, not for the pur- 
pose of obtaining a renewed consecration. Every good 
influence should be kept around such members, and every 
effort made to bring them to Christ. The invitation to the 
prayer meetings should be of the broadest and most cordial 
character to embrace not only the members, but all the 
young people of the community. 

THE RELATION OF THE PASTOR AND THE CHURCH. 

The society is a part of the church. One of its princi- 
pal objects is to bring all the young people into the work 
of the church. In this respect it differs from all other 
organizations. Its motto is : " For Christ and the Church." 
Each society is connected with some one individual church, 
and its efforts are directed to her upbuilding. The Plat- 
form of Principles before alluded to says: "The society of 
Christian Endeavor is not and is not to be an organization 
independent of the church. It is the church at work for 
and with the young, and the young people at work for and 
with the church." Testimonies from hundreds of promi- 
nent pastors relate how this society has brought back their 
young people from desultory and unproductive work out- 
side of the church, and has concentrated their efforts in 
church channels. In the Church Prayer-meeting, the Sun- 
day School, the Musical Services, the social life and 
missionary efforts of the church, the young people thus 
organized can be of untold usefulness. 

The Pastor should, if possible, attend all their meetings. 



20 Waj/s and Means. 

aid their efforts and show himself in fullest and most hearty- 
sympathy with the young life of his church, otherwise he 
cannot hope for large success. See Article IX., Model 
Constitution. 

THE SOCIETY INTERDENOMINATIONAL, NOT UNDENOM- 
INATIONAL. 

The best proof of this is found in the fact that it exists 
in all evangelical denominations, and is found equally use- 
ful in all denominations. In some sections it prevails 
more largely in one denomination, in other sections in 
another. 

The Platform of Principles says on this point: "The 
basis of the union of the societies is one of common loyal- 
ty to Christ, common methods of service for Him, and 
mutual Christian affection rather than a doctrinal and 
ecclesiastical basis. In such a union all evangelical 
Christians can unite without repudiating or being disloyal 
to any denominational custom or tenet." 

BUSINESS FEATURES. 

The business features of the society should not be 
accorded very much prominence. Sharp parliamentary 
practice and long or heated discussion should be discour- 
aged. The society of Christian Endeavor is not a debat- 
ing society. If questions requiring debate are brought 
only before the Executive Committee (as provided in Arti- 
cle VI., 4), and reported favorably or otherwise by this 
committee to the society for adoption, much trouble may 
be avoided. But little money is required for the society, 
and this can be raised by a monthly pledge of five cents, 
by an unobjectionable entertainment of which the church 
shall approve, or in any other simple way. 

HOW TO FORM A SOCIETY. 

Begin with as many earnest active young Christians as 
are available for this work. Do not be anxious for num- 
bers. Think more of quality than quantity. Half a score 
of those who are earnest and consecrated are worth in this 



Waj/s and Means. 21 

work ten score of half-hearted ones. A very few young 
people of the right sort can make a strong society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor. If the society begins right it is sure to 
grow. Do not lower the standard or cater to the worldly 
laxness of the average Christian by making the way in 
easy. The great danger is just in this line — that many 
will rush in at first who have no proper conception of their 
obligations, and who will prove a positive source of weak- 
ness to the society. Make sure that every one who joins 
fully understands his duties and obligations, and is willing 
in Christ's strength to undertake them. Call together the 
earnest young Christians who are thus willing to pledge 
themselves to this work ; let them adopt and sign the 
Constitution, which act solemnly pledges them to a per- 
formance of these duties ; let them choose their officers 
and committees, and the society is formed ready to go for- 
ward with its work. 

SUMMARY. 

The essential features, then, of the Young People's Soci- 
ety of Christian Endeavor are : pledged and constant 
attendance upon the weekly prayer-meetings ; Pledged and 
constant participation therein by every Active Member; 
pledged and constant work for others through the Com- 
mittees, and in any way which may be suggested. A few 
living up to these pledges faithfully will, with the blessing 
of God, soon become a powerful host in any church. 
There is no danger that the rules will be too strictly 
enforced. There is great danger that they will be 
regarded too loosely. The society that looks to God for 
all blessings and strictly observes its vows, voluntarily 
assumed by each young person, cannot fail. More can be 
learned concerning the society from a careful study of the 
Constitution printed herein, than in any other way. 



22 Ways and Means. 

THE MODEL CONSTITUTION. 

This Constitution, which, in its important features is 
substantially the same as that adopted by the first society 
in Portland, Feb. 2, 1881, has been prepared with- great 
care, and met with the very hearty indorsement of the 
Fourth National Conference, to which it was presented. 
It has been revised and approved by the Trustees of the 
United Society at a meeting held October, 1887. 

It is not necessarily binding upon any local society, but 
is to be regarded in the light of a recommendation, espe- 
cially for the guidance of new organizations and those 
unacquainted with the work of the society of Christian 
Endeavor. It is hoped, however, for the sake of uniform- 
ity, that the Constitution, which deals only with main prin- 
ciples, may be generally adopted, and that such changes 
as may be needed to adapt the society to local needs will 
be made in the By-laws. Even if the language of the Con- 
stitution of some local societies should vary from this 
Model Constitution, it should be borne in mind that only 
those societies that adhere to the prayer-meeting idea, as 
embodied in Article VII, and the main features of com- 
mittee work, can properly claim the name of Christian 
Endeavor Societies. The specimen By-Laws v/hich are 
here appended, embrace suggestions for the government of 
the society, which have been found successful in many 
places. Each one is approved by experience. 



MODEL CONSTITUTION. 
Article I. — Name. 

This society shall be called the Young 

People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 
Article II. — Object. 
Its object shall be to promote an earnest Christian life 
among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, 
and to make them more useful in the service of God. 



IVavs and Mea7is, 23 

Article III. — Membership. 

1. The members shall consist of three classes — active, 
associate, and affiliated or honorary. 

2. Active Members. The active members of this soci- 
ety shall consist of all young persons who believe them- 
selves to be Christians, and who sincerely desire to accom- 
plish the objects above specified. Voting powers shall be 
vested only in the active members. 

3. Associate Members. All young persons of worthy 
character who are not at present willing to be considered 
decided Christians, may become associate members of this 
society. They shall have the special prayers and sym- 
pathy of the active members, but shall be excused from 
taking part in the prayer-meeting. It is expected thaf all 
associate members will habitually attend the prayer-meet- 
ings, and that they will in time become active members, 
and the society will work to this end. 

4. Affiliated or Honorary Members."* All persons 
who, though no longer young, are still interested in the 
society and wish to have some connection with it, though 
they cannot regularly attend the meetings, may become 
affiliated members. Their names shall be kept on the list 
under the appropriate heading, but shall not be called at 
the roll-call meeting. It is understood that the society 
may look to the affiliated members for financial and moral 
support in all worthy efforts. (For special class of honor- 
ary members see Article IX.) 

5. These different persons shall become members, upon 
being elected by the society, after carefully examining the 
Constitution and upon signing their names to it, thereby 
pledging themselves to live up to its requirements. 

*This class of membership is provided for Christians of mature 
years, especially for those who have been active members, and who 
desire to remain throughout their lives connected with the society. 
Young persons who can be either active or associate members should 
in no case be affiliated members. 



24 Waj/s and Means. 

Article IV. — Officers. 

1. The officers of this society shall be a President, 
Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secre- 
tary, and Treasurer, who shall be chosen from among the 
active members of the society. 

2. There shall also be a Lookout Committee, a Prayer- 
Meeting Committee, a Social Committee, and such other 
committees as the local needs of each society may require, 
each consisting of five activ6 members. There shall also 
be an Executive Committee as provided in Article VI. 

Article V. — Duties of Officers. 

1. President. The President of the society shall per- 
form the duties usually pertaining to that office. He shall 
have especial watch over the interests of the society, and 
it shall be his care to see that the different committees per- 
form the duties devolving upon them. 

2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall per- 
form the duties of the President in his absence. 

3. Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty 
of the Corresponding Secretary to keep the local society in 
communication with the United Society and with other 
local societies, and to present to his own society such 
matters of interest as may come from the United Society, 
from other local societies, and from other authorized 
sources of Christian Endeavor. This office shall be 
permanent, and the name shall be forwarded to the 
United Society. 

4. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of the 
Recording Secretary to keep a record of the members, and 
to correct it from time to time, as may be necessary, and 
to obtain the signature of each newly-elected member to 
the Constitution ; also, to correspond with absent members, 
and inform them of their standing in the society ; also, to 
keep correct minutes of all business meetings of the soci- 
ety; also, to notify all persons elected to office or to com- 
mittees, and to do so in writing, if necessary. 



Waj^s and Means. 25 

5. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to 
safely keep all moneys belonging to the society, and to 
pay out only such sums as shall be voted by the society. 

Article VI. — Duties of Committees. 

I. Lookout Committee. It shall be the duty of this 
committee to bring new members into the society, to intro- 
duce them to the work and to the other members, and to 
affectionately look after and reclaim any that seem indiffer- 
ent to their duties as outlined in the pledge. This commit- 
tee shall also by personal investigation, satisfy itself of the 
fitness of young persons to become members of this soci- 
ety, and shall propose their names at least one week 
before their election to membership. 

2. Prayer-Meeting Committee. It shall be the 
duty of this committee to have in charge the prayer-meet- 
ing, and to see that a topic is assigned and a leader 
appointed for every meeting, and to do what it can to 
secure faithfulness to the prayer-meeting pledge. 

3. Social Committee. It shall be the duty of this 
committee to promote the social interests of the society by 
welcoming strangers to the meetings, and by providing for 
the mutual acquaintance of the members by occasional 
sociables, for which any appropriate entertainment, of 
which the church approves, may be provided. 

4. Executive Committee.* This committee shall con- 
sist of the pastor of the church, the officers of the society, 
and the chairmen of the various committees. All matters of 
business requiring debate shall be brought first before this 
committee, and by it reported either favorably or adversely 
to the society. All discussion of proposed measures shall 
take place before this committee and not before the society. 

* The object of this committee is to prevent waste of time in the 
regular meetings of the society, by useless debate and unnecessary par- 
liamentary practice, which are always harmful to the spirit of a prayer- 
meeting. 



26 Waj's and Means. 

Recommendations concerning the finances of the society 
shall also originate with this committee. 

Each committee, except the Executive, shall make a 
report in writing to the society, at the monthly business 
meetings, concerning the work of the past month. 

Article VII. — The Prayer-Meeting. 

1. All the active members shall be present at every 
meeting, unless detained by some absolute necessity, and 
each active member shall take some part, however slight, 
in every meeting. To the above all the active members 
shall pledge* themselves, understanding by " absolute 
necessity" some reason for absence which can conscien- 
tiously be given to their Master, Jesus Christ. The meet- 
ings shall be held one hour, and at the close some time 
may be taken for introduction and social intercourse, if 
desired. 

2. Once each month a consecration or experience meet- 
ing shall be held, at which each active member shall speak 
concerning his progress in the Christian life, or renew his 
vows of consecration. If any one chooses, he can express 
his feelings by an appropriate verse of Scripture or other 
quotation. 

3. At each consecration or experience meeting the roll 
shall be called, and the responses of the active members 
who are present shall be considered as a renewed expres- 
sion of allegiance to Christ. It is expected that, if any 
one is obliged to be absent from this meeting, he will send 
a request to be excused by some one who attends. 

4. If any active member of this society is absent from 
this monthly meeting, and fails to send an excuse, the Look- 
out Committee is expected to take the name of such a one, 
and in a kind and brotherly spirit ascertain the reason for 
the absence. If any active member of the society is 
absent and unexcused from three consecutive monthly 

* For form of pledge see By-Laws, Art. V. 



Ways and Means. 2/ 

meetings, such a one ceases to be a member of the society, 
and his name shall be stricken from the list of members. 
Article YIII. — Business Meetings and Elections. 

1. Business meetings may be held at the close of the 
evening prayer-meeting, or at any other time in accordance 
with the call of the President. 

2. An election of the officers and committees shall be 
held once in six months. Names may be proposed by a 
Nominating Committee appointed by the President. 

Article IX. — Relation to the Church. 
This society being a part of the church, the pastor, dea- 
cons, elders or stewards, and Sunday-school superintendent 
shall be ex officio honorary member*. Any difficult ques- 
tion may be laid before them for advice. 

Article X. — Withdrawals. 
Any member who may wish to withdraw from the soci- 
ety shall state the reasons in writing to the Lookout Com- 
mittee and pastor, and if these reasons seem sufficient, 
they may be allowed to withdraw. 

Article XI. — Miscellaneous. 
Any other committees may be added and duties assumed 
by this society which in the future may seem best. 

Amendment. 
(The following amendment was proposed by Rev. F. E. Clark, and 
recommended to the societies by vote of the National Conference 
held in Chicago, July 5-8, 1888.) 

Since it would in the end defeat the very object of our 
organization if the older active members, who have been 
trained in the society for usefulness in the church, should 
remain content with fulfilling their pledge to the society 
only, therefore it s expected that the older members, when 
it shall become impossible for them to attend two weekly 
prayer-meetings, shall be transferred to the honorary mem- 
bership of the society, if previously faithful to their vows 
as active members. This transfer, however, shall be made 
with the understanding that the obligations for faithful ser- 



28 Waj/s and Meafts. 

vice shall still be binding upon them in the regular church 
prayer-meeting. It shall be left to the Lookout Committee, 
in conjunction with the pastor, to see that this transfer of 
membership is made as occasion requires. Special pains 
shall also be taken to see that a share of the duties and 
responsibilities, both of the prayer-meeting and of the gen- 
eral work of the society, shall be borne by the younger 
members. 

SPECIMEN BY-LAWS GIVEN AS HINTS FOR THE REG- 
ULATION OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 

If it is thought that these rules and regulations are unnecessarily 
long, it should be borne distinctly in mind that these specimen By- 
Laws are simply suggestions. It is not recommended that they be 
adopted entire, as in the case of the Model Constitutic n, for all of 
them would not be adapted, perhaps, to the need of any one society, 
but from them all valuable hints may be derived for the' government 
of local organizations. The fundamental principles of the society 
are exceedingly simple, and only so many of these By-Laws need be 
adopted as seem necessary to the easy working of this plan for Chris- 
tian nurture. Undue attention to rules and parliamentary law is to 
be deprecated, and the fundamental fact that the object of this society 
is solely for Christian work and growth should never be lost sight of. 



BY-LAWS. 
Article I. 

This society shall hold a prayer-meeting on 

evening of each week. The last regular prayer-meeting of 
the month shall be a consecration or experience meeting, 
at which the roll shall be called. 

Article II. 

METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE EXPERIENCE OR CONSECRATION 
MEETING. 

At this meeting the roll may be called by the leader 
during the meeting, instead of at its close. After the 
opening exercises, the names of five or more may be called, 
and then a hymn sung or prayer offered. Thus varied, 



Ways and Means. 29 

with singing and prayer interspersed, the entire roll may 

be called. 

Article III. 

This society shall hold its regular business meeting in 

connection with the first regular prayer-meeting in the 

month. Special business meetings at the call of the 

President. 

Article IV. 

The election of officers and committees shall be held at 
the first business meeting in 

A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the 
President, of which the pastor may be a member ex officio. 
The following clause of the By-Laws may be read to the 
society before each semi-annual election of officers : 

While membership on the board of officers or commit- 
tees of this society should be distributed as evenly as the 
best good of the society will warrant, among the different 
members, the offices should not be considered places of 
honor to be striven for, but simply opportunities for 
increased usefulness, and any ill-feeling or jealousy spring- 
ing from this cause shall be deemed unworthy a member of 
the society of Christian Endeavor. When, however, a 
member has been fairly elected, it is expected that he will 
consider his office a sacred trust, to be conscientiously 
accepted, and never to be declined, except for most urgent 
and vali^ reasons. 

Article V. 

Applications for membership may be made on printed 
forms, which shall be supplied by the Lookout Committee, 
and returned to them for consideration. 

Names may be proposed for membership at the close of 
the consecration meetings, and shall be voted on by the 
society at the following business meeting. The Lookout 
Committee may also, in order to satisfy itself of the Chris- 
itan character of the candidate, present to all candidates 
for active membership* the following card to be signed: 



30 Waj/s and Means. 

Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I promise 
Him that I will strive to do whatever He would like to 
have me do ; that I will make it the rule of my life to pray 
and to read the Bible every day, and to support my own 
church in every way, especially by attending all her regular 
Sunday and mid-week services, unless prevented by some 
reason which I can conscientiously give to my Saviour, 
and that, just so far as I know how, throughout my whole 
life, I will endeavor to lead a Christian life. 

As an active member, I promise to be true to all my 
duties, to be present at, and take some part, aside from 
singing, in every Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting, 
unless hindered by some reason which I can conscien- 
tiously give to my Lord and Master. If obliged to be 
absent from the monthly consecration meeting of the soci- 
ety I will, if possible, send at least a verse of Scripture to 
be read in response to my name at the roll-call. 
Signed, 

Article VL 

Persons who have forfeited their membership may be 
readmitted on recommendation of the Lookout Committee 
and pastor, and a two-thirds vote of the members present 
at any regular business-meeting. 

Article VII. 

New members shall sign the Constitution and By-Laws 
within four weeks from their election, to confirm the vote 
of the society. 

Article VIII. 

Any who cannot accept the office to which they»may be 
elected shall notify the President in writing before the 
next business-meeting, at which the vacancy shall be filed. 
Article IX. 

Membership tickets may be furnished to all members of 
the society, admitting them to all the socials. The Social 
Committee may furnish tickets to members for their 
friends, providing they are suitable persons, admitting 
them to the socials dated on the ticket. 
Article X. 

The Lookout Committee shall read the names of any 



Waj/s and Means. 31 

who may cease to be members, and give the reason why 
their names should be taken off the list. * 

Article XL 

Letters of Introduction to other Christian Endeavor 
societies shall be given to members in good standing who 
apply to be released from their obligations to the society; 
this release to take effect when they shall become members 
of another society; until then their names shall be kept 
on the absent list. Members removing to other places or 
desiring to join other Christian Endeavor societies in the 
same city or town, are requested to obtain letters of Intro- 
duction within six months from the time of their leaving, 
unless they shall give satisfactory reasons to the society 
for their further delay. 

Article XII. 

Other committees may be added according to the needs 
of local societies, whose duties may be defined as follows : 

Sunday School Committee. It shall be the duty of 
this committee to endeavor to bring into the Sunday 
School those who do not attend elsewhere, and to co- 
operate with the superintendent and officers of the school 
in any ways which they may suggest for the benefit of the 
Sunday School. 

Calling Committee. It shall be the duty of this com- 
mittee to have a special care for those among the young 
people who do not feel at home in the church, to call on 
them, and to remind others where calls should be made. 

Music Committee. It shall be the duty of this com- 
mittee to provide for the singing at the young people's 
meeting, and also to turn the musical ability of the society 
into account, when necessary, at public religious meetings. 

Missionary Committee. It shall be the duty of this 
committee to provide for occasional missionary meetings, to 
interest the members of the society in all ways in mission- 
ary topics, and to aid in any manner which may seem 
practicable, the cause of home and foreign missions. 



32 Waj's and Mea?is, 

Flower Committee. It shall be the duty of this com- 
mittee to provide flowers for the pulpit, and to distribute 
them to the sick at the close of the Sabbath services. 

Temperance Committee. It shall be the duty of this 
committee to do what may be deemed best to promote 
temperance principles and sentiment among the members 
of the society. 

Relief Committee. It shall be the duty of this com- 
mittee to do what it can to cheer and aid, if possible and 
necessary, by material comforts, the sick and destitute 
among the young people of the church and Sunday School. 

Good Literature Committee. It shall be the duty of 
this committee to do its utmost to promote the reading of 
good books and papers. To this end it shall do what it 
can to circulate the religious newspaper representing the 
society among its members, also to obtain subscribers for 
the denominational papers or magazines among the fam- 
ilies of the congregation as the pastor and the church may 
direct. It may, if deemed best, distribute tracts and relig- 
ious leaflets, and, in any other suitable way which may 
be desired, introduce good reading matter wherever 
practicable. 

Article XIII. 

Members who cannot meet with this society for a time 
are requested to obtain Leave of Absence, which shall be 
granted by the society on recommendation of the Lookout 
Committee and pastor, and their names shall be placed on 
the Absent List. 

Article XIV. 

members shall constitute a quorum. 

Article XV. 

These By-Laws may be amended by a two- thirds vote of 
the members present, provided that notice of such amend- 
ment is given in writing and is recorded by the Secretary 
at least one week before the amendment is acted upon. 



Waj/s and Means. 33 

THE BEST WAY OF TRAINING YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 

BY WAYLAND HOYT, D. D. 

I am frank to confess I have become an enthusiast in the 
Christian Endeavor movement, and the more I know of its 
principles and workings the more fervent is my enthusiasm. 
And for reasons like these : 

I. Because of the emphasis the movement puts upon 
the local church. Its beating heart and center is the spe- 
cial church with which the young Christian is in personal 
relation. The steady song of the movement concerning 
the local church is : 

" For her my tears shall fall ; 
For her my prayers ascend ; 
To her my cares and toils be given, 
Till toils and cares shall end. 

"Beyond my highest joy 

I prize her heavenly ways, 
Her sweet communion, solemn vows, 
Her hymns of love and praise." 

No pastor, especially in the large cities, but must have 
often felt that there are frequent and great temptations, 
nowadays, presented to his young people for main service 
at some other center than their own particular church 
home. Young Men's Christian Associations, mission 
halls, general evangelistic enterprises — I have no word to 
say against any of these things ; I say, rather, God bless 
them and God speed them ! They must be, and they are 
accomplishing vast good ; but I am quite sure a pastor 
must often come to see that the danger of these is that 
they are too apt to cut, or at least paralyze, the nerve of 
attachment to that whence all evangelizing agencies must 
get their spring, and where they must gather their impetus, 
viz., the local church. The possession of the very gifts 
which would make a young Christian most useful in his own 



34 Waj/s and Means. 

church is too commonly urged as the chief reason why he 
should exercise his gifts elsewhere. The church becomes 
the fringe, these other ways and places of work the focus. 
Now, a high advantage of the Christian Endeavor plan is 
this, that it furnishes an offset to this tendency. It does 
not tell the young Christian that he is not to use himself in 
these directions, but it does tell him that the eminent 
place of love and loyalty and religious attempt is his own 
church, to which he has sworn personal allegiance. This 
is healthful. This is according to the New Testament. 
This concentrates service and prevents sporadic and fre- 
quently aimless scatterings of power. For Christ and the 
church is the inspiring motto of the Christian Endeavor 
movement. As a pastor I utterly rejoice in such a mar- 
shalling of the young Christians of the churches. 

2. That it is so thoroughly a religious movement is 
another reason for my enthusiasm. It is not mainly liter- 
ary nor is it mainly social; it is supremely religious. The 
hearth where its fires are to kindle is the prayer-meeting. 
The end of the holy striving of the members of the Chris- 
tian Endeavor Society is to make the prayer-meeting — the 
place of religious converse with the Lord Christ and with 
each other — alive, alert, interesting, edifying. A Chris- 
tian Endeavor organization without a prayer-meeting, 
would be like a body without a heart ; it could not live an 
hour. 

3. A third reason for my glad endorsement of this 
movement is the specific pledge of service it exacts. 
Sometimes there comes a deadness of feeling, a lax grasp 
on endeavor, to all Christians. To be sure, the highest 
motive is a fervid love. But sometimes ashes gather 
above its heat. Just here the pledge comes in — the 
right appeal to personal honor. The ashes of indifference 
are swept away and the coals of love begin to glow again. 
The pledge inculcates the formation of a Christian charac- 
ter, not by the unsteady hand of sentiment, " of feeling 



Waj/s and Means. 35 

like it," but by the strong, tense hand of duty. So the 
young Christian is armed against the dissuasions of a 
rainy night, a cold state of the church, the enticement of 
social engagements, and what not. He has promised to 
be present at his Christian Endeavor meeting and to take 
part in it. He is taught to steer by duty and not by the 
aurora flashings of feeling. Who cannot see that a Chris- 
tian character growing thus, amid the inspirations of duty, 
must get girded, pithy — like an oak on the hillside, able 
to withstand the winds. 

4. Another reason for my deep interest in this move- 
ment is, that it takes equal grasp on the young women as 
well as on the young men. It tells them that their speech, 
also, is to be consecrated to Christ. It strikes the shakles 
from their " liberty of prophesying." 

5. Still another reason why I so rejoice in this move- 
ment is its tender management of young Christians. It 
adjusts itself to their youth and inexperience. It does not 
set before them too great things to do at first It says, 
if you can do no more, come with the Scripture you have 
found nutritious to yourself, and simply tell that. It 
teaches young Christians to search the Scripture for this 
special end, thus finding food for the religious life. 

6. Still an added reason for my gladness in this move- 
ment is the delightful inter-relations it brings about 
between the various evangelical denominations. This 
movement has no word or hint of dissuasion from the par- 
ticular truth the particular denomination believes itself set 
to guard. It does not say, in joining yourself to us, 
become less a Congregationalist or a Methodist or a 
Presbyterian or a Baptist. It insists rather on the most 
steadfast loyalty to the special tenets of the special church. 
But it does, by its grand marshalling of the young Christians 
in all churches, give the inspiring feeling of union with a 
great host of Christian Endeavorers the land through. I am 
heartily in favor of the badge to manifest this feeling. So, 



36 IVaj^s and Means. 

too, the State and city and town meetings of the members 
of the Society minister to this consciousness of member- 
ship in a noble host, and the discussions there, and the 
acquaintances formed, tend to wider reUgious vision and 
more earnest purpose and larger plans for service. 

I believe, from my heart, that this Christian Endeavor 
movement is of God. We see, as yet, only the edges of 
its fair leaves as they are bursting from the calyx ; it is a 
most lustrous and fragrant bloom these last years of our 
century are to behold. Let me say again what I have said 
before, the best thing that has ever come to the church of 
which I have the honor to be pastor, is its Society of 
Christian Endeavor. 



SEVEN REASONS FOR COMMENDING THE YOUNG 
PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

BY REV. J. Z. TYLER, D. D. 

First^ Because it makes the religious element dominant. 
The societies organized on the plan presented in the 
model constitution are not for social enjoyment or literary 
culture — although these have their place — but they are 
organized to promote an earnest Christian life among their 
members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, and to 
make them more useful in the service of God. Every true 
Christian Endeavor Society centers in its prayer-meeting. 

Second^ It exacts a definite pledge. The young Chris- 
tian especially needs definiteness of purpose and aim. 
Vague dreaming will not do. Every one, on becoming an 
active member, promises to attend the meetings regularly 
and to take some part in the services. The society 
becomes the training school. It takes the new convert, 
with all the glow of enthusiasm which marks the beginning 
of Christian life, and gives him something definite to do. 

Third, It enjoins daily private study of the Bible and 



Waj/s and Means. 37 

daily private prayer. It thus feeds the fountains of life 
and prevents Christian activity from degenerating into 
what has been well called a mere spectacular Christianity. 
The need, in this day of public enterprise and activity, is 
to see to it that private devotion is nourished. Bible 
study and prayer, in the secrecy of the closet, need to 
receive special emphasis just now, and the Christian 
Endeavor plan gives it. 

Fourth, It blends worship and work. They must be 
joined together for the health of each, and to form a well- 
balanced character. Sentiment should find expression in 
service, and service needs the inspiration of sentiment. 
The devotions of the closet should prepare for living for 
Christ in the world. To develop activity without devotion, 
or to nourish devotion without active duty, is abnormal 
and unscriptural. The need is to blend them, and this 
the Christian Endeavor does. 

Fifth, Its methods of work are flexible, so that it easily 
adjusts itself to the necessities of every field. It has no 
plan as to details of work, but leaves these details to the 
sanctified common-sense of the members of each society. 
Whatever may be the work that is needed for the prosper- 
ity of the church, the members of the Christian Endeavor 
Society are expected to be earnest helpers. It is a society 
in the church and for the church. It aids the regular 
prayer-meeting, it helps build up the Sunday School, it 
assists the pastor — in brief, it is expected to be ready for 
any and every good word and work. It is flexible as to 
methods. 

Sixth, It is a great force working toward Christian 
union. For this reason, especially, it should receive a 
hearty welcome among our churches. The trend of these 
societies is away from the doctrinal basis of fellowship to 
that which is found in personal love and loyalty to the per- 
sonal Saviour. This is the line among which we must 
look for union. This is the New Testament idea of union. 



38 Waj's and Means. 

The nearer we come to the personal Christ, the nearer we 
come to each other. Then, too, the fellowship of service 
and the mingling of the young Christians in local and 
State unions and in the great annual conventions, all tend 
to bring them nearer together. It seems to be one of the 
providential agencies of our times given to aid in the prac- 
tical solution of the union problem. 

Seventh, It affords an excellent means of reaching the 
unconverted. Its constitution provides for associate mem- 
bers, and these are generally those who are interested in 
the church but have never publicly accepted Christ as 
their personal Saviour. The active members are expected 
to aim at their conversion. The pastor finds in the asso- 
ciate membership material at hand for his attention. The 
last report from the general secretary says, " Probably not 
less than forty-five thousand were converted last year." 
What a magnificent work! What possibilities for future 
work ! I would that the young people in all our churches 
were organized into Christian Endeavor societies. 

SOME ELOQUENT INDORSEMENTS. 

It is not often that we find so many eminent ministers 
of so many denominations uniting in such hearty indorse- 
ment of the same methods of work, but this is what they 
say from their experience of the Christian Endeavor Soci- 
ety. Rev. John Henry Barrows, D. D., of Chicago; Rev. 
J. S. Niccolls, D. D., LL. D., of St Louis; Rev. T. S. 
Hamlin, of Washington, and Rev. Geo. H. Wells, D. D., 
of Montreal, leading ministers in the Presbyterian church, 
write in a circular letter to the pastors of Presbyterian 
churches, in which they say : 

" We are glad of an opportunity of addressing to the Presbyterian 
pastors of the country a few words of earnest testimony with regard to 
the working of the Christian Endeavor Societies in our churches. 
From the experience which we have had with them in our own con- 



Waj/s mid Means. 39 

gregations, and from a wide observation of the work elsewhere, we 
most heartily commend these organizations as contributing to the 
Christian development of the young people and the spiritual life of 
the whole church. The uniform success of the new organizations, 
which are made vertebral and vigorous by the pledge, have convinced 
us that the Christian Endeavor idea is peculiarly adapted to meet a 
universal want, and we expect from it a world-wide blessing. We 
should rejoice to see such societies established in all churches." 

Dr. J. W. Hamilton, of Boston, writing to Methodist 
pastors, says : 

" The Society of Christian Endeavor is one of the most remarkable 
inspirations of the mordern church. I view the importance of the 
society both from its relation to the local church and from its inter- 
denominational relations in the great international body. The society 
must be what the church is in which it is organized. It may be 
Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist or Congregational, at home. In the 
great convention it is what all would have it to be — Christian; the 
members there see Jesus only." 

" The plan was a great conception of the founder, but eye hath not 
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the 
things which God hath prepared for these young people that love 
Him." 

Rev. J. Z. Tyler, D. D., of Cincinnati, a leading minister 
of the Christian Church, says : 

" I find that wherever these societies have been formed and nour- 
ished they have worked well. They bring new life into the prayer- 
meeting, awaken fresh interest in the Sunday School, and enlist the 
young people more heartily in all the enterprises of the church. They 
lay emphasis upon the private daily reading of the Scriptures and 
daily private prayer, and they train all their active members to take 
part in the prayer-meeting." 

Rev. W. J. Darby, D. D., General Manager of the Pub- 
lishing Work of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
writes : 

" It is useless to attempt to describe the good it has done. Suffice 
it to say, that as I now look back over a pastorate of more than 
eighteen years, the scenes and experiences connected with the Y. P. S. 
C. E. are among the brightest and happiest, by reason of the precious 
results accomplished with that class, from whom many of the most 
efficient workers of the church have come." 



40 Ways and Means. 

Rev. J. B. Helwig, D. D., Pastor of the First English 
Lutheran Church of Springfield, Ohio, writing to his Luth- 
eran brethren, says : 

*' Two years ago I organized a Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor in my church, and as far as I can secure the attention of 
our Lutheran ministry of the General Synod, I desire to say that 
after an experience of that length of time, myself and the young people 
comprising the society can give it our hearty indorsement, not only as 
a most excellent incentive to Bible study, but as a most excellent help, 
also, to the use of the Bible after study; and, next to prayer, we 
believe, also, one of the best constant means of grace for the advance- 
ment of Christian nurture and the steady growth and progress of the 
spiritual life of the soul." 

A PASTOR'S OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 

1. "I fear the Society will prove a church within a 
church." 

Ans. — Experience has not proved this to be a valid 
objection. The young people, through this Society, learn 
allegiance, not to the Society, but to Christ and His 
church. 

2. "I fear the young people will not come to the regu- 
lar prayer-meeting." 

Ans. — Again experience proves that those who are 
most faithful to the society meeting are usually the most 
faithful to the church prayer-meeting. All may not go to 
both, but, as a rule, the regular prayer-meeting has been] 
greatly reinforced. 

3. " I fear it will make the young people uppish and 
forward." 

Ans. — Nine years experience proves the reverse. This 
Society has increased their vital piety, and true piety is 
humble. 

4. " I do not like any society plan. It detracts from 
the individual responsibility." 

Ans. — Again experience proves that the exact reverse is 
true. This plan singles out the members; gives them 



Waj/s and Means. 41 

each something definite to do, and thus increases the indi 
vidual responsibility. 

5. "We are organized to death already. I can't add 
another organization to those existing." 

Ans. — There are organizations that are unto life and 
not unto death. This is one of them. It saves a multipli- 
city of organizations among the young, by having one cen- 
tral body (of which the prayer-meeting is the heart), and 
many arms, in the shape of committees which do the work, 
if it is thought best, of a dozen societies. 

6. " All these pledges are included in the church cove- 
nant — why renew them ? 

A71S. — True ; but they are not made definite and specific 
there, and cannot be. The young Christian needs to have 
definite and specific duties pointed out, and thus he will 
learn to keep all his vows. 

7. " This Society will cost too much monev." 

Ans. — It need cost very little money. None at all, in 
fact, unless you choose. 

8. " An attempt was made to start such a society with- 
out my knowledge or approval." 

Ans. — If that is so, it was contrary to the principles 
and wishes of the Society at large. No one is authorized 
to start societies. This movement should always originate 
with the pastor. 

9. " My young people are not like others. They will 
not take the pledge." 

Ans. — Try it and see. 

10. " My young people will not hold out." 
Ans. — Try it and see. 

11. "The whole movement is ephemeral." 
Ans. — Wait and see. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES. 

The Society of Christian Endeavor is extremely flexible 
and capable of adapting itself to any church or community. 



42 Waj/s and Means. 

The necessary rales are few and simple, but there are some 
distinguishing characteristics which cause it to differ from 
all other similar organizations. 

1. It is in and for the church. It has no life aside 
from the local church. Each society does its work for 
some individual church. It exists for no other purpose. 

2. It is interdenominational. It inculcates neither 
sectarianism nor undenominationalism. It seeks to make 
every young person loyal to his own church, the church of 
his fathers and of his own choice. 

3. It insists on making the religious features para- 
mount; the prayer-meeting pledge, promising attendance 
and participation in every meeting, unless hindered by 
some reason which can conscientiously be given to the 
Master, is essential. 

4. It makes much of the consecration-meeting, the 
purely spiritual element. 

5. It supplements and balances confession by work, 
through the committees, which are very important. 

HOW TO START A SOCIETY. 

Call together the Christian young people of the church 
and congregation. Explain to them the object of the Soci- 
ety, just what it is for, how important the religious element 
is, how subordinate is everything else to this one idea. 
Read the constitution, dwell upon the prayer-meeting 
clauses until they are thoroughly understood. Explain 
their reasonableness as well as their strictness. Show 
that this is nothing but what any young Christian should 
be willing to subscribe to. Appoint a committee to adapt 
the by-laws to local needs. Receive the signatures to the 
constitution of all who are ready to sign it understandingly 
and willingly. Accept no others for active members, and 
you have a strong society, whether it numbers ten or two 
hundred. 



Wafs and Means. 43 

PART III. 

THE MEMBERSHIP. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING ACTIVE 
MEMBERSHIP. 

Questiojt, What is to be done with a member of a Chris- 
tian Endeavor society, who takes no part whatever in the 
meetings, and at consecration-meetings, though present, he 
does not respond to his name when called, nor does he 
take any part in them ? Of course, if he were absent from 
three consecutive consecration-meetings, he would, by 
reason of such absence, be dropped from the rolls. But 
this seems to be a different case. 

Ans, He should be " labored with " by the Lookout 
Committee, kindly but persistently, after every such neglect 
of duty. Before many weeks he will probably either with- 
draw or fulfil his pledge. 

Qties. Do you consider it fulfilling the obligations that 
active members have taken to respond at roll-call or at 
consecration-meetings the word "Present"? Does this 
meet the requirements of the constitution ? 

Ans. Certainly not, unless those who thus answer have 
previously taken a real part, by testimony, prayer, or Scrip- 
ture recitation. To answer "present" at the roll-call, and 
to do nothing else, is a mere "get off," unworthy of an 
active member of our societies. 

Qties. Should a member be retained on the active list 
who, although he has a good excuse each time, can never 
possibly be at the prayer-meeting? 

Ans. No, if it is true that he can never attend. If he 
cannot attend for six months or even a year, place his 
name on the absent list. 



44 Waj/s and Means. 

Ques. Cannot a person who tries to live a Christian 
life, but who does not belong to any church, be an active 
member as long as he conforms with our constitution ? 

Ans. That is for each society to decide. Every earn- 
est Christian, however, will wish to join some church just 
as soon as possible. If one has a good reason for not 
joining the church (such as prohibition of parents, or 
unwillingness of the church to receive him) we do not think 
he ought to be debarred from membership in the society. 

Ques. One of our active members wishes to withdraw 
from the society and asks for an honorable discharge, but 
offers no reason and apparently has no excuse for the step. 
Should such an honorable dismissal be given ? 

Ans. Every person thus wishing to withdraw ought to 
give some reason for the step. The Lookout Committees 
have no right to go behind this reason. If it seems to 
satisfy the conscience of the one who gives it, that is suffi- 
cient, even though it appears lame and weak to the soci- 
ety. We have no right to meddle with or question 
another's conscience. If, however, no reason is assigned, 
and after kindly interviews, none is given, we should say 
the rules of the society ought to take their course, and 
such a person dropped for three consecutive absences from 
the consecration-meetings. Let him thus put himself out. 

Qiies. Who ought to judge when an active member should 
leave the active membership and join the affiliated list? 

Ans. The person who makes the change, after consci- 
entious deliberation. Of course he may consult with 
friends, but his conscience alone is the final criterion. 

FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 
Dear Associate Members : 

For many months I have been writing a letter each week 
to your friends in the active membership of our society. 



IVaj/s and Means. 45 

Allow me to say a few earnest words to you. Let me ask 
this personal question : Why are you not an active mem- 
ber? Will you not repeat it to yourselves — "Why am I 
not an active member ? " 

For every important matter that largely effects our lives 
we ought to be able to give a good and sufficient reason. 
Here is a matter of the very utmost importance to you and 
to others. Have you any good reason to give for not 
being an active member? 

TAKE THE NEXT STEP. 

I am very glad that you are not outside of our society 
altogether. It is much better to be an associate member 
than to have no connection with us at all. You have made 
at least one move in the right direction. But still the 
question returns :* Why are you not an active member ? 
Since you have taken one important step, why not take 
the next, which is still more important ? Perhaps you say, 
"I am afraid I am not a Christian, and on that account I 
am not become an active member." That, after all, is only 
saying the same thing in another form, and the same ques- 
tion must be asked again: "Why, then, are you not a 
Christian ? "- 

A POSSIBLE REASON. 

Because of some one in the active membership whom 
you do not believe in ? Do you say : " To do as he does 
is a pretty way for a Christian to act " ? After all, that is 
a poor excuse, and you will acknowledge that it is, I 
believe, when you stop to think of it. Your salvation in 
no way depends upon that unfaithful or thoughtless mem- 
ber. Besides, if every one else was perfect, there would 
be much less reason why you should become a Christian 
than there is now. In that case you would only have 
yourself to save ; others would not need the help of your 
earnest life. But now Christ asks for your service, not 
only for your own soul's sake, but for the sake of that very 
one whom you criticise as " a pretty sort of a Christian." 



46 Wafs and Means. 

THE EXCUSE TURNS INTO AN ARGUMENT. 

Come into the Christian Hfe and into the active mem- 
bership for the sake of helping him who is so far from per- 
fect, by letting him see how a Christian should live. 

Or perhaps you say : "I am a little afraid of all those 
duties that are expected of active members — the prayer- 
meeting pledge and the consecration-meeting and all that." 
But if these are a Christian's duties, they are just as much 
your duties now as they will ever be, for it is your first 
duty to be a Christian. The child cannot get rid of the 
duty of obedience by running away from home and hiding 
in the woods. It is just as much his duty to obey his 
father when he stands outside the door of his father's 
house as when he stands within. You cannot get rid of 
any real duty by remaining outside the family circle. You 
are only failing in two things instead of one, for the first 
duty is to enter in. 

WAITING FOR A STARTLING EXPERIENCE. 

Or is it possible you are waiting for a startling, wonder- 
ful experience ? Do you expect to see a fiery cross in the 
sky, or to hear such a voice as Paul heard } You will wait 
a long while if you wait for that, I fear. There was only 
one Paul, and only one man with Paul's experience. It is 
just as needless to wait for that experience as it would be 
to wait until you could journey from Jerusalem to Damas- 
cus for the sake of being converted on the exact spot where 
Paul heard Christ speak to him. Just as really as though 
the heavens were opened can you hear Him speak to you 
while you read this letter. It is just as much His mes- 
sage, and just as important that it should be obeyed, when 
it is printed on this page, as if written across the face of 
the sky. Here is His message : 

Come unto Me, Repent and Believe. 

POSITIVE REASONS. 

I have spoken of the most important reason — "For 



Waj/s and Means. 47 

Christ's sake " ; but here are some other very urgent and 
positive reasons, I think, why you should become an active 
member, which means simply, to become an active 
Christian. 

First, you need to do it for your own sake. Get into 
the best company. These young Christians are not per- 
fect, by any means, but they are most of them doing their 
best, and you will not find any better company. Every day 
you stay outside the ranks of God's people is in some 
sense a wasted day. 

Again, the church and the society need you as much as 
you need them. They are both weaker than they should 
be, because you are not active in them, and you are respon- 
sible for the weakness. They are not doing so much work, 
nor such good work, as if you were doing your best in 
their ranks, where you belong. 

Still again, the other associate members need your influ- 
ence as an active member. Some of them stay out, very 
likely, because you stay out. Do you dare to be responsi- 
ble for their loss 1 

Will you not listen to all these voices and accept their 
many invitations ? There is no reason that any one can 
give for remaining an associate member; there is every 
reason for becoming an active member and an active 
Christian now. Let me urge you once more, dear friend 
— Give your heart to Christ to-day, and to-morrow ask the 
Lookout Committee to propose your name as an active 
member, and just as soon as you can appropriately do so, 
join the church in which you have been brought up, and 
whose pastor, I know, is longing to welcome you as one of 
its members. 

Your Friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 



48 Waj's and Means. 

HOW CAN WE HELP OUR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS? 

Report of the Conference led by Rev. D. R. Lowell, D. D., Pastor of 

the M. E. Church, Rutland, Vt., at the Eighth National 

Christian Endeavor Convention. 

The large church was full, and all seemed eager to 
speak or to catch every word. 

Not a moment was lost, many being on their feet at the 
same time, to make suggestions, ask questions, or to give 
information. 

After singing " All Hail the Power of Jesus' name," in 
which all joined heartily, the leader briefly said : This 
Christian Endeavor movement attempts two things — first, 
to establish and develop Christian character; and second, 
to reach out after the unsaved. We are concerned in 
this conference only with the latter — "How can we help 
our associate members.'"' 

The Christian Endeavor individual or society lacking 
this spirit of a burning desire for the unsaved is not 
possessed of the real Christian Endeavor spirit. 

Now, mark, we are to confer as to methods. The fun- 
damental principles of the plan of salvation are settled; 
Gcd has settled them; they abide forever and may not be 
changed by us. But methods are human, and we are here 
to confer as to the best methods of helping our associate 
members. 

Now, while I am on my feet, let me suggest : 

Firsts Use live and persistent efforts to secure their 
attendance at the weekly meetings. 

Second^ When there, let them be surrounded by a warm, 
spiritual, stimulating atmosphere. 

No unsaved person can, as a rule, long stand out against 
such a spiritual meeting. Now, how to secure such a 
meeting : 

First, Be warm and spiritual yourself. 

Second, By frequent, hearty and spiritual singing. 



Waj^s and Means. 49 

Thirds By prompt speaking, praying, etc. Let no time 
be wasted in the meeting. 

Another and the chief means of reaching and helping 
them will be by tender, loving, wise, personal appeals. 

Remember that they will be very quick in discerning 
between real and spurious interest; the former will win, 
the latter will disgust and repel. 

In the conference many questions were asked and 
answered, and much valuable experience was elicited. 

The prevailing sentiment seemed to be that kindly and 
personal effort was the most important and successful 
agency. Many illustrations of this were given, several 
delegates telling how a large proportion of the associate 
members in their societies were brought into the active 
membership in this way. In some cases an active mem- 
ber would take an associate member, and personally pray 
for and labor with that member, and in nearly every case, 
in a very short time, the associate became an active 
member. Sometimes two active members would unite 
for an associate member ; sometimes one of the commit- 
tees would divide up the associate-member list and give 
a portion to each active member. In all these cases, the 
same result followed, and the associate members were 
reached and saved. One society could get more associate 
members than they could care for, but most societies 
found difficulty in getting enough associate members, 
because they were so easily and constantly being trans- 
ferred to the active list. 

Several delegates gave their experience in securing 
associate members. The most successful method was to 
divide up the lists of eligible persons, and give them to 
active members to be looked after. In most cases such 
efforts were successful. 

Several cases were reported where persons who were 
members of the church had been admitted as associate 
members. This was conceded to be wrong. How to pre- 



50 Waj/s and Means. 

vail on them to become active members was discussed. 
In some cases it was easy to persuade them to the change, 
in others very difficult. Personal appeal seemed the most 
effective agency here. 

The sentiment prevailed very strongly that when the 
society was faithful and really spiritual there was no 
trouble in reaching the associate members. 

The whole conference revealed a most earnest desire to 
reach out after and help the associate members. It was 
an hour memorable to those who were present. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING ASSOCIATE 
MEMBERS. 

Question. Has an associate member any right to lead a 
meeting, or be chairman of any committee.-* 

Ans. According to the constitution of most societies, 
these are the duties of active members. It is important 
that such matters should be in the hands of those " who 
t)elieve themselves to be Christians." 

Ques. Our pastor objects to the Y. P. S. C. E. on the 
ground of 2 Cor. iv: 14-18, and says that by having 
associate members we are unequally yoked with unbe- 
lievers. How would you answer him ? 

Ans. We would say that the associate members are 
yoked together, neither equally nor unequally with the 
active members. They are in a different relation to the 
society from the active members. If we keep unconverted 
persons out of the associate membership, we should, to be 
consistent, keep them out of the Sunday School and the 
prayer-meeting, also. 

Ques Is it best to allow any who are Christians to 
become associate members.'* 

Ans. No ; never. A professing Christian ought never 
to join the Christian Endeavor Society as an associate 
member. It confuses all distinctions, and, after a while, 



Ways and Means. 51 

makes the associate list a retreat for unfaithful Christians, 
and even those who are not Christians will not wish to 
join such ranks. 

Ques. What shall we do with associate members who 
very seldom attend the prayer-meeting and who never 
attend our consecration and business meeting, which we 
hold on a week evening ? 

Ans. Strive in every way to hold them and by personal 
influence to bring them into the Christian life and the 
active membership. 

CONCERNING AFFILIATED MEMBERS. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

My Dear Friends: 

There is one class of members of our Christian 
Endeavor Society about whom we hear little, but who, 
nevertheless, are very important factors in the successful 
working of the societies. I refer to the affiliated or hon- 
orary members. I do not care what they are called, and I 
do not much care whether they are formal members of the 
society even, but I sincerely hope that every society has 
some who do for it what the affiliated membership was 
designed to do for the society. In fact, I think that com- 
paratively few societies have such members regularly 
enrolled; but most, I am glad to know, have those who 
are in reality affiliated members. As the boys in blue dur- 
ing the late war would have been comparatively powerless 
had they not been heartily supported by the affiliated army 
of fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters, who had 
to stay at home, so our Christian Endeavor army can 
accomplish comparatively little without the support and 
sympathy of thousands who cannot go to their meetings or 
serve on their committees, but who can vastly help them 
in their work. 



52 IVaj/s and Means. 

WHO SHOULD BE AFFILIATED MEMBERS? 

The Constitution says : 

" All persons who, though no longer young, are still 
interested in the Society, and wish to have some connec- 
tion with it, though they cannot regularly attend the meet- 
ings, may become Affiliated Members. Their names shall 
be kept upon the list under the appropriate heading, but 
shall not be called at the roll-call meeting. It is under- 
stood that the Society may look to the Affiliated Members 
for financial and moral support in all worthy efforts.". 

And concerning honorary members : 

"This Society being in closest relation to the Church, 
the Pastor, Deacons, Elders or Stewards, and Sunday 
School Superintendents shall be ex officio Honorary Mem- 
bers. Any difficult question may be laid before them for 
advice." 

Some of our friends have objected to that phrase, "who, 
though no longer young," as if it drew an invidious "dead 
line" between the affiliated members and the others; but 
the design of that phrase is simply to exclude from this lot 
young Christians who ought to be active members, but who 
might seek to be affiliated members, because it gave them 
a chance to have some connection with the society without 
giving them much to do. 

But it is very evident who are intended to come within 
this definition. The busy deacon, who carries a good 
share of the burden of the church ; the Sunday School 
superintendent, the elder of the church, who rejoices in the 
work of the young people, but cannot meet with them ; the 
mothers and fathers, who thank God daily that the society 
is training for usefulness their sons and daughters; the 
older Sunday School teachers, whose other duties forbid 
their regular attendance at the meetings — all these are fit 
candidates for the affiliated or honorary list. Whether 
they are called by this name or not, I hope every society 
has such a company of friends and backers. 



Waj/s and Means. 53 

WHAT CAN THE AFFILIATED MEMBERS DO FOR THE SOCIETY? 

They can sympathize with it in all its laudable efforts. 
They can give it a moral support and recognition, without 
which no society can do its best work. They can defend 
it if unjustly accused. They can create a public sentiment 
in the church favorable to it. They can restrain it from 
wrong courses, if they see any tendencies in those direc- 
tions. They can occasionally, at least, drop into the meet- 
ings, and can speak an encouraging word (if they will only 
be brief) to their younger friends. Here is something very 
specific which the affiHated members of one society prom- 
ise to do. It is a beautiful idea, and I hope all will adopt 
it. They agree, whenever the notice of the Christian 
Endeavor prayer-meeting is given out, to offer a silent, earn- 
est prayer for the meeting and the society. Such a cus- 
tom is worth italicising. How strong would every society 
feel if the members thought, when the notice of the meeting 
was given every Sunday, " Scores are praying now for our 
meeting." I do not see how such a society could' have a 
poor meeting. 

WHAT THEY WILL NOT DO. 

The affiHated members will not expect perfection in the 
society all at once. They will not unduly magnify or crit- 
icise little faults. They will not make long speeches in 
the Christian Endeavor prayer-meetings. Nor will they 
offer long prayers there. They will not forget that it is a 
young people's prayer-meeting. They will not seek to take 
the burden of responsibility from the younger shoulders, 
by bearing which alone can they learn to bear heavier 
burdens. 

HOW THE OTHER MEMBERS WILL TREAT THE AFFILIATED 
MEMBERS. 

They will treat them with the utmost consideration, 
respect and love. They will remember that the view-point 
of the older person is not always the same as that of the 
younger, and that it is more than probable that the older 



54 Waj/s and Means. 

person is right. They will always welcome them to their 
gatherings, and will seek their advice on difficult questions. 
They will be guided by the wisdom of these older persons, 
even when their own judgment might differ. They will 
show them that they care not only for their society and its 
meetings, but just as much for all the services of the 
church. Once in a while they will have a prayer-meeting 
to which all the affiliated members will be especially invi- 
ted, though of course they will always be welcome to all 
the meetings; and occasionally, perhaps, at the anniver- 
sary time, there will be a social gathering especially in 
honor of the affiliated members, when the society can take 
particular pains to show how much they are esteemed, 
and when the bonds of cordial good fellowship between 
older and younger can be knit more closely than ever. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

THE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

My Dear Friends : 

The complaint is often heard that, however warmly and 
cordially Christians may feel toward the new members of 
the church, few of them express their welcome. There is 
too much truth in this charge, and perhaps some of our 
societies are guilty of the same lack of cordiality toward 
new members. 

I am sure that no indifference is felt, just as I am sure 
that there is no lack of real hospitality on the part of 
church-members when they receive new members, but we 
ought to manifest our hospitahty more frequently and more 
warmly than we do. 

A NATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC. 

I think this same want of expressed appreciation is 
characteristic of American life generally. We have too 



Waj/s and Means. 55 

little expressed affection in the family. The boy is afraid 
to kiss even his mother, except on the sly, and when it 
comes to his father, nothing would induce him to make 
such an exhibition of himself, if anybody was looking on. 
So it is between husbands and wives, and dear friends, 
oftentimes. We suppress our emotions and take alto- 
gether too much for granted in regard to the feelings of 
the heart. In our public audiences it is the same. How 
rarely any applause gets started, even when we intensely 
enjoy and thoroughly appreciate the speaker's positions, 
while our English friends, under similar circumstances, 
clap their hands sore, and shout " Good, good," " Hear, 
hear," until they are hoarse. 

GREETING NEW-COMERS. 

But I have wandered away from my subject a little, 
which relates to our reception of the new members who 
join our Christian Endeavor societies. 

If we never show our affection on other occasions, we 
surely should do so at such a time. Not only ordinary 
politeness, but Christian courtesy demands this. No new- 
comer should ever be admitted as an active or associate 
member, or should be transferred from the associate to the 
active list, without receiving from every other member at 
least a hearty hand-grasp and word of welcome. 

After the meeting, when new members have been 
received, they should be asked to wait for a few minutes; 
the president and secretary or the members of the Lookout 
Committee should resolve themselves into a reception com- 
mittee, and should introduce them to all the others; thus 
the ice would be broken and (to mix figures a little) the 
way would be paved for future acquaintance. At least, no 
stranger could say he was not welcomed. 

REMINDING THEM OF THEIR DUTIES. 

I think, too, that there might be much improvement 
made in the form of receiving new members. As it is in 
most societies, their names are read one week and voted 



56 Wafs and Means. 

upon the next, and thus, when they have signed the con- 
stitution, they become members. I do not believe in 
having much ceremony about the reception of new mem- 
bers, but I think that at such times we might well call to 
mind our obligations. I would advocate having the new 
members receive once a month, at the close of the conse- 
cration-meeting, perhaps, or, possibly, at the close of the 
monthly business-meeting ; have the names read distinctly, 
so that all can understand who is about to join. Then let 
the president read the definition of active members from 
the constitution, if active members are received, or the 
definition of associate members, if associate members are 
received; and then, in the case of active members at 
least, let the president read the prayer-meeting pledge, or 
let all the members read or repeat it together. This will 
not only impress it upon the new members, but will recall 
it to the minds of any who are in danger of forgetting it, 
and, it seems to me, can have only a good effect. 

Some societies already do this, and I can see no possi- 
ble objection to it. While I would carefully avoid any- 
thing that might seem like overdoing what should be a 
very simple service, at the same time it may wisely be 
made an impressive matter. At any rate, do not forget 
the cordial hand-grasp after the meeting. 

Let the new-comers feel that since we all have a com- 
mon Father and the same Elder Brother, we are indeed 
brothers and sisters with them, and from the first they will 
be glad that their lines have fallen in such pleasant places, 
and they will be not only happier but more us-eful mem- 
bers of our society. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 



Ways and Means. 57 



PART IV. 

THE PRAYER-MEETING. 

THE NEW PRAYER-MEETING. 

BY REV. WAYLAND HOYT, D. D. 

The n«w prayer-meeting is the prayer-meeting of Chris- 
tian Endeavor, and the reason why the new prayer-meeting 
of Christian Endeavor is the best is because it is a rever- 
sion to the old typical prayer-meeting of the New 
Testament. 

In the gallery at Bergamo there is a fascinating picture 
of the Virgin mother and the Holy Child, by Raphael. 
That picture has a history. When Napoleon the Great 
was conquering Italy, Milan fell before him and with it 
Bergamo. Napoleon was taking all the rare and precious 
pictures and sending them to adorn Paris. Lest this pic- 
ture should be seized and lost to Italy, someone painted 
on its face a coarse and ugly picture, which, of course, 
Napoleon, not knowing the treasure underneath, did not 
desire. When he was dethroned, the rifled pictures were 
sent back to Bergamo, and among them hung this treasure 
of Raphael, but, in the painter's hurry, there had been no 
mark left upon it and so it could not be identified, and 
where it hung among the other great and beautiful pictures 
no one could tell. At last, in the year 1868, the daub 
began to scale away, and then reverent hands set about to 
clean the picture, and at last the long-lost treasure shone 
forth again. 

DISFIGURATIONS OF THE IDEAL PRAYER-MEETING. 

Now, over the fair ideal of a real prayer-meeting pre- 
sented to us in the New Testament, have come many dis- 



58 Ways and Means, 

figurations; long prayers that take in the Jews and the 
uttermost parts of the earth, and stiff routine and hard for- 
malism and awfully long pauses, and only now and then a 
new voice, too much bench and too little people. These 
things and things like these have made too often the sad 
simile, "As dull as a prayer-meeting," too full of the miser- 
able truth, and have frequently generated the idea that 
convenience and enjoyment in the typical New Testament 
prayer-meetings was something that could not be seen and 
was impossible to obtain. All these things have been 
blotting the fair vision, in the New Testament, of a genu- 
ine prayer-meeting. Thank God, in these days of ours, 
these hindering blotches are made to scale away through 
powerful influences, and among the instruments working 
toward this end, Christian Endeavor has had and is hav- 
ing a very supreme part. 

Consider a little that typical New Testament prayer- 
meeting, that we may see how closely the new prayer-meet- 
ing of Christian Endeavor is approximating unto it, and 
that we may also be stirred with holy and enthusiastic zeal, 
every one of us, to bring our Christian Endeavor new prayer- 
meeting into the exact likeness of that New Testament 
ideal, for we wish no other ideal than that of the New 
Testament. There is no deeper purpose in our hearts than 
the purpose of, so far as possible, making that ideal actual. 

A painter was once toiling at a picture ; wearied, he left 
his brush and his color for a little, the picture remaining on 
the easel. When he returned he saw swept around that 
picture a perfect circle, the most difficult thing to do in 
art, and the pupil, beholding, could only exclaim, "The 
Master has been here ! The Master has been here ! " 
We wish no higher and no nobler ideal than the touch 
and sweep of the Holy Ghost. 

THE TYPICAL PRAYER-MEETING. 

Consider, then, that typical New Testament prayer-meet- 
ing. Remember the first few verses of the second chapter 



Waj^s and Means. 59 

of the Acts, and you have it before you. It was an 
attended prayer-meeting; they were all with one accord, 
in one place ; Peter was not absent because it happened to 
be a little hot, and James was not away because it hap- 
pened to be a little cool, and Bartholomew was not away 
because it happened to be a little wet, and Matthew was 
not away because his toga was a little worn, and Mary was 
not absent because her veil had gotten to be a little out of 
style, and Salome and Bartholomew did not refuse to fill 
their places because just then there happened to be a 
party in Jerusalem, and James the Less was not away 
because he thought that Peter was taking a little too much 
on himself and was just a little ofiicious. Not for any 
reasons like these or for any other reasons imaginable, 
was any one away. It was an attended prayer-meeting. 
They were all with one accord, in one place. Oh, the 
enthusiasm of numbers ! Oh, the holy contagion of relig- 
ious elbow touch ! Oh, the power of presence ! And this 
typical prayer-meeting had all these. It was an attended 
prayer-meeting. 

THE PLEDGE. 

How does the new prayer-meeting of Christian Endeavor 
conform to the old type ? Very closely, I think ; for Chris- 
tian Endeavor lays steady insistence on attendance. That 
is the meaning of the pledge. Christian Endeavor makes 
a sacrament of attendance in the true sense of sacrament. 

When a Roman soldier swore fealty to the Senate and 
people of Rome, he lifted up his right hand and took the 
pledge, the sacramentum, and Christian Endeavor makes a 
sacrament of attendance. That is the first thing it does. 
Whether anybody else is there or not. Christian Endeavor 
must be there. Not feeling, duty; not convenience, duty; 
not another engagement, but an engagement with the 
Lord. 

Somebody asked an old Waterloo soldier, who at the 
Battle of Waterloo was in charge of a gun holding an 



6o Waj/s and Means. 

important summit, what he could see when the battle was 
going on. "See!" he said; "nothing but dust and 
smoke." "What did you do.?" "Do! I stood by my 
gun." What a Christian Endeavor says is, "Whether you 
can see anything going on or not, whether you know the 
day is against you or for you, whether this thing is true or 
that other thing is true, stand by your gun of attendance 
anyhow." 

A MEETING ACCORDANT. 

Also, this typical prayer-meeting was a meeting accord- 
ant, and they were all with one accord, in one place. 

I have no time to go into the philosophy of the matter. 
It is enough to say that our Lord Jesus tells us that 
accordant prayer is prevailing prayer. " Wherever two or 
three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the 
midst of them." If two of you agree on earth in regard to 
anything, it shall be done unto you; and a new Christian 
Endeavor prayer-meeting is also an accordant prayer-meet- 
ing, because it takes upon itself the pledge and promise of 
attendance and participation. Nothing is more philosoph- 
ical than the Constitution of Christian Endeavor toward 
securing the feeling of accord, for feeling always follows 
action and does not precede it. Why, when a man rises 
to speak to such an assembly as this, if he is at all my sort 
of a man, he is pretty badly scared. Suppose that man 
indulges himself in a scared gesture, suppose he means to 
get scared, suppose he stands every which way and trem- 
bles about ; he will be scared worse and worse. The feel- 
ing of scare will come on with surprising increment, and 
pretty soon he will have to sit down. But suppose a man 
scared determines to act as if he were not, puts on the 
gesture of self-control, stands firmly, maintains, so far as 
he may, his self centre, it does not take very long before 
the feeling of not being scared comes, and the man, before 
he knows it, is master of himself, and perhaps, to some 
extent, master of those who are listening to him. 



Ways and Means. 6 1 

It is always action that precedes feeling and^ never feel- 
ing that precedes action ; and when Christian Endeavor 
sets before young Christian people the action of taking of 
a definite pledge for prayer and service, it does not take 
very long before the action draws after itself a train 
of appropriate accordant feeling. So again, Christian 
Endeavor is in accord with the old type. Its prayer-meet- 
ing is a prayer-meeting accordant. 

A MEETING OF PROMISE-PLEADING. 

Also, that old typical New Testament prayer-meeting 
was a prayer-meeting of promise-pleading. Thus our Lord 
told the disciples that in a little time the power of the 
Spirit should come upon them, and those disciples were 
all of one accord, in one place, to plead that promise. 
There is a mighty principle there, which I leave you to 
think through. There are all sorts of wonders in it, this 
mediating place which prayer holds between promise on the 
one hand and fulfillment on the other. Pray for what God 
has promised to give you and you will get what God has 
promised to give you, for prayer is a condition of fulfill- 
ment. This typical prayer-meeting was a prayer-meeting 
of promise-pleading. They said: '' O Thou Risen and 
Ascended Christ, Thou hast promised. Be true to Thy 
promise." How in this regard does the new prayer-meet- 
ing of Christian Endeavor find accordance with the old 
type ? Ah, how delightful it is ! Ah, how spiritually com- 
forting it is in the new prayer-meeting of Christian 
Endeavor to hear one and another and another and another 
rise and utter another and another and another of the 
unchangeable promises of our God in Holy Scriptures ! 

THE PRAYER OF FAITH. 

Do you know that service has deeper relation than you 
perhaps think, for it makes possible the prayer of faith ? 
What is the prayer of faith t A prayer of strain ? A 
prayer of result, misinterpreting utterly a famous passage 
of Scripture ? A prayer of rapture ? A seeking to pull 



62 Waj/s and Means. 

one's self up or to push one's self up into a kind of 
ecstasy ? What is the prayer of faith ? The prayer of 
faith is a prayer springing out of great grip on the prom- 
ises and pleading the promises. That is the prayer of 
faith. 

I asked Mr. Spurgeon once how he prayed, and he said 
to me, " I always find a promise appropriate to the need, 
and then in the name of the Lord Jesus and for His sake 
I simply plead that promise." 

The old, typical. New Testament prayer-meeting was a 
prayer-meeting of promise-pleading, and the new prayer- 
meeting of Christian Endeavor is a prayer-meeting of 
promise-pleading, too. They repeat the promises, and then 
they present the promises as arguments before the Throne. 

GIVING HOLY SPEECH TO WOMEN. 

Also, that old typical New Testament prayer-meeting 
was a prayer-meeting which gave holy speech to women. 
Look there ! What is that .'' That shining, that mighty, 
celestial, that wavering, gleaming tongue of flame ! Behold 
it ! It is on the head of Peter. Yes. It is on the head 
of James. Yes. It is on the head of Matthew. Yes. It 
is on the head of the son of Alpheus. Yes. It is on the 
head of Mary. Yes. It is on the head of Salome. Yes. 
It is on the head of Mary Magdalene. Yes, yes. In all 
that company there is not a single head unmitered with 
the celestial flame, as much on women's heads as on 
the heads of men. 

Unmitered in the prayer-meeting women prayed for the 
gift, or they would not have received the gift, and when 
the gift came, it came to woman just as much as to man, 
for the shining, wavering flame was on the heads of all of 
them. 

Paul says, "Let the women keep silence in the 
churches." Yes; Paul does say that, and if I believed 
that Paul meant, when he said that, what is the common 
interpretation of his meaning, I would submit to the apos- 



Ways and Means. 63 

tie ; I would not say that the world has outgrown the apos- 
tle. I believe in implicit and accurate and abundant sub- 
mission to inspired authority; but because I am sure that 
the usual interpretation of that Scripture has been a huge 
misconception and blunder, I declare that the new prayer- 
meeting of Christian Endeavor is in close accord with the 
old typical prayer-meeting of the New Testament, because 
it gives to woman holy speech, for do you know what the 
meaning of the words " keep silence" is ? Paul says, " Do 
not let the women lall, lall, lall." Don't you see what he 
means? That is the Greek word lali, which means to 
make a disturbance and a contention. Paul says never let 
women do that. The men had better take that to them- 
selves as well. But Paul does distinctly say, "When a 
woman prayeth or prophesieth, let her do it with her head 
covered." That is, according to the custom of the times, 
in decent fashion. Why, a woman may pray in the church. 
Why, prophesying is simply foresaying your faith in Jesus 
and your love for Him, and exhorting others to come to 
Him, and Paul distinctly admits that women find tongue 
for praying and for prophesying in the meetings of the 
church. 

THE HEART OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

Therefore, I declare the new prayer-meeting of Christian 
Endeavor is in exact accord with the old typical prayer- 
meeting of the New Testament, because it does give to 
woman, and insists on giving to woman, and God grant it 
may forever and continually insist on giving to woman, 
holy speech. These miserable padlocks on the gracious 
lips of woman ought to be unlocked and broken off and 
flung away forever. 

I had other points to speak on, but my time is up and I 
will stop. God bless you. Hold to the prayer-meeting. 
The hearth and heart of Christian Endeavor is the new 
old prayer-meeting. 



64 IVaj/s and Means. 

NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS UPON THE PRAYER- 
MEETING- 

BY REV. JAMES L. HILL. 

The Book of Acts is the story of and argument for 
prayer-meetings. It was then the people's meeting and 
not the ministers'. The topic was probably specific and 
vital. 

After the meeting has come up to a good standard of 
excellency do not experiment very much with it. 

It is a good rule never, except as a measure to give 
notice of being about to conclude an animated meeting, to 
call upon persons to participate. The more this is done, 
the more it will be expected. This rule does not apply to 
first creating an atmosphere of prayer at the preparatory 
lecture or to the prayer-meeting in large cities, where 
pastors must do this at times to eliminate the religious 
vagrants. 

In some vestries there are no back seats. The settees 
or chairs being portable, only such are left accessible, and 
those close about the leader, as will be required. This 
makes the room seem full. Persons on the wall seats are 
not likely to help a meeting. They do not feel themselves 
to be in the charmed circle. The sexton can in a moment 
add seats in an exigency. 

If a meeting begins at a quarter before eight o'clock, it 
ought to conclude promply at a quarter before nine. Let 
it be understood that persons, after the formal meeting is 
dissolved, will not leave the vestry before nine, thus pro- 
moting acquaintance and making strangers feel that they 
certainly must attend again. 

The successful pastors, like Drs. Withrow and Scudder, 
and like the lamented Beecher and Goodell, have all had 



Ways and Means. 65 

animated prayer-meetings. We have not far to go to find 
why Methodist churches grow so rapidly. They bring the 
lay element into prominence. They utilize the Christian 
light deposited with the church. 

We can do the people no good at a prayer-meeting 
unless they are present. Nothing draws them like a good 
meeting. Dr. Scudder, in order to build up his famous 
prayer-meeting, visited all accessible churches where good 
meetings were held and studied their methods. 

In the matter of a Sabbath School prayer-meeting one 
must be willing to begin with a few. If you believe in 
such a service and would enjoy it, then find another who 
feels as you do and your meeting is begun. It will not do 
to pile on wood very much faster than it can be brought to 
a blaze. 

Having such a subject as " What Have I to be Thank- 
ful for? " ask the participants to name not two things, but 
one thing. Thus will it seem easier to take part, and a 
certain definiteness will be secured that will impart vigor 
to the meeting. 

An expedient which works admirably in the hands of Mr. 
Moody is to name a chapter or parable or miracle, and ask 
each person to name but one interesting thing about it. 
Persons thus fall easily to work before they know it. 
This, by the way, is a favorite method of teaching the 
Sabbath School lesson. Simply ask each member of a 
class to come prepared to make but one point. The 
points thus made, when aggregated, will be more than 
sufficient for the half-hour, and everybody will thus get 
involved in the work. 

In certain notable prayer-meetings, beside the selection 
of a leader, there is the appointment by the prayer-meeting 
committee of a number of subordinate helpers, whose duty 
is to instantly follow the leader with remarks. These 



66 Ways and Means. 

subordinate helpers come to each meeting with definite 
grounds of assurance that participation will not lag. 

One duty of these helpers may well be to keep the 
names of all the different persons whose voices are ever 
heard in the prayer-meeting. Then by encouraging others 
to repeat a verse of Scripture or of sacred sentiment, 
additions can constantly be made to the catalogue of 
participants. 

In glancing over the new list of topics, whatever is sug- 
gested ought at the time to be put down in pencil on the 
margin or elsewhere for a later reference. If not in the 
pocket, a good place for the topic card is in one's Bible or 
in the frame of the mirror in one's dressing case, where he 
will see it every morning. 

There are few expedients that will so much improve a 
pra3^er-meeting as to increase the number of persons who 
start impromptu hymns. " The continuity of the meeting 
has been broken because," says the Co7igregationalist^ 
"there was so much time spent in looking up hymns. 
(The hymn book is over-worked in many meetings.) How 
much more spirited, how much warmer the meeting if, at 
a pause, somebody who could do it (and so many can), 
would strike a familiar tune ! " As a rule, during the last 
half-hour of the meeting such hymns are best as come up 
spontaneously. 

When the interest will warrant it, immediately before 
the leader's opening remarks, a few moments of silent 
prayer, concluding audibly with the Lord's Prayer, will 
give good tone to the meeting. 

It is found that the meetings are often best when, after 
the leader's opening remarks, a few minutes are devoted to 
a succession of short prayers. This encourages timid per- 
sons to participate early; moreover, it gives laymen an 



M^aj/s a7id Means. 6^ 

opportunity to change the elevation or key, if that with 
which the meeting was opened cannot be sustained. 

In many cases, it may be permissible for a leader only 
to clear up the incidental truths in the moments allowed to 
him, and then, in some interrogative form, leave the main 
thought under the topic for the other participants. If he 
goes farther, the most acceptable service he can render is 
to show the cleavage in the subject. He is best fitted to 
do this. 

In parlor companies, ladies are not silent. Why should 
they be dumb in the great social gathering of the church. 

One pastor is known who says plainly to his people : 
" Now if you should think of anything lugubrious to say, 
don't say it." He makes it a rule to have nothing brought 
to the meeting that is not cheerful. He furthermore insists 
that this is a meeting of the church, and that members must 
give as well as get. He throws the entire burden on his 
helpers, and he has an increasing number, doing as little 
as possible himself, but being careful always to do his 
full share. 

A very shrewd observer has recently said that he had 
noticed that those meetings called up participants most, 
where the leader purposely leaves certain loose ends for 
persons to seize. 

Another successful pastor finds it best to state his theme 
always in an interrogative form. Nothing excites the mind 
like a question. Such as this would be an interrogative 
theme : " How shall we deal with those who criticise Chris- 
tians and cavil at religion ? " It is difficult, even now, in 
writing, to pass on without tarrying to give a word of 
answer and to state an incident or two that would throw 
a little light on the matter, as seen, at least, from one point 
of view. 

After giving to the meeting, at the beginning, a good, 



68 Wajs and Means, 

strong lift, the leader ought to be a good listener. The 
frequent complaint is made of persons presiding in denom- 
inational clubs and in public assemblies, that they talk too 
much. So, too, a superintendent of a Sunday School who 
talks much in the desk, throwing in his speeches at every 
interstice, soon grows weak in his influence over the schol- 
ars. Then when his time comes to speak, and when he 
has something really to say, he can scarcely get attention, 
because he has worn out the welcome of his speech. It is 
easy for a leader who spends all his time in a library of 
books and papers to follow each speaker with a word or 
two of additional comment, but it is unwise to do so. It 
is well for the company to come to know that the leader 
keeps back quite as much as he utters. There is much to 
be still said, and they must say it or it will go unuttered. 
It is not a lecture service, but a conference. No individ- 
ual ought to undertake to exhaust the subject, lest he 
exhaust the attendants. The prayer-meeting is the peo- 
ple's opportunity. 

It is found to be expedient to read, besides the verses 
containing the topic, a short, spirited selection of Scripture 
which will state the theme in another form or throw a side- 
light upon it. Many men can catch at one feature of an 
incident, or can comment for a moment on one of the 
verses read, when they cannot make a straight-away or 
clear-swung speech upon " Contentment " or upon the 
"Immortality of Truth." 

Themes that should always have precedence at an even- 
ing service of prayer : 

1. Any reason for personal thanksgiving. ^ 

2. Any hindrances to the better life. 

3. The religious bearings of any recent event. 

4. Any interesting work of grace. 

5. Any special answers to prayer. 

6. Any illustration of the wisdom of God's Word. 



Ways and Means. 69 

7. Anything observed or experienced which honors 
Christ, fulfills a divine promise, or indicates the leading of 
Providence. 

8. The religious point of the Sunday School lesson. 

Let us bring our best life into the prayer-meeting, and 
make it the register of all the best thoughts and feelings 
and struggles and triumphs of each week. 

PRECEPTS. 

1. There should be a great deal of Bible in these meet- 
ings. Said a teacher to her scholars, " Let us each look 
up a verse on the subject and repeat it at the evening 
prayer-meeting." How it freshened up that meeting! 

2. Talk about the prayer-meeting before it and after it 
and through the week. 

3. Choose out some person and use all your ingenuity 
and tact to see if you cannot, sooner or later, bring him to 
the meeting. 

4. "Double the number of persons present and you will 
more than double the interest and power." A young man 
recently said, "I will be one of a dozen to take part, but I 
cannot be one of a few." 

5. In a meeting let us have now and then an expression 
from your real heart-life. 

6. Let us have the last part of our meeting first. If par- 
ticipation ever seems hard, it is because we are waiting for 
others to give us an impulse, while all the time others, for 
the same reason, are waiting for us. On leaving a church, 
an admirable compliment was paid a young man in these 
words, " He would always take hold of the cold end of the 
meeting." 

7. You will not get others to do their duty by not doing 
yours. If participation becomes prompt and brief and 
very general by the elders, younger persons can much 
more easily sandwich in their brief testimonies and prayers. 
In matters of benevolence " He gives twice who gives first; " 
so he speaks twice who speaks first, once in giving full 



70 IVaj/s and Means. 

effect to his own remarks and again in those incited to 
speak after the atmosphere has been warmed for them. 

Dr. Goodell said of his prayer-me.eting, " It is a place 
for replenishing the daily losses of the soul." And Dr. 
Scudder, out of his own experience, wisely remarks : " Even 
those who were not church-members liked to come. It 
became a joy to me and a fountain of refreshment. Often 
I went in dejected and came out inspirited." 

NONSENSE CONCERNING THE PRAYER-MEETING. 

BY REV. SMITH BAKER. 

In an article upon prayer-meetings, in a recent paper by 
a learned and most excellent minister, we find a few 
strange sentiments, which we had hoped were out of date, 
but which we fear are still the destruction of far too many 
social meetings, viz. '' Many intelligent people are driven 
away from the prayer-meeting because they learn nothing 
there." Indeed ! They may be intelligent, but not spirit- 
ual. If they were consecrated persons, they would seek to 
make the meeting more intelligent. The object of a 
prayer-meeting is not instruction, but sympathy and help- 
fulness. Where one person is driven away from a social 
meeting because he learns nothing, ten are driven away 
because it is all ideas and no emotion. Making them so 
much a place of instruction has been the death of one-half 
of our prayer-meetings. " Emotional people pour out their 
feelings in the vestry of the church with a saintliness 
becoming an archangel, and then the next day do deeds 
which ill become a common Christian." We are sorry the 
good man has had such an unfortunate experience. The 
statement in itself is an unintended, but certain misrepre- 
sentation of the truth. As a rule, the prayer-meeting 
talkers, whom the world has least confidence in, and who 
are the most inconsistent, are the long talkers who try to 
get off new ideas, and preach little sermons and appear 



Waj/s and Means. yi 

instructive. When a man cannot come to prayer-meeting 
unless he is instructed, then all that such a man might say- 
would be religious "cant." 

" Christian experience, which is exalted so highly by 
some, is really worth but little in building up character." 
An amazing statement ! When the truth is, there is no 
Christian character without an experience, and it is the 
need of an experience which makes our prayer-meetings so 
dull. The world does not want to hear a man talk never 
so learnedly unless he has an experience. It has been 
these dry, intellectual words, coming from the head and 
not from the heart, which have driven the people from our 
prayer-meetings, and destroyed their power. What many 
prayer-meetings need most is to choke off three or four 
long-winded men who try to be instructive, and give the 
time to half a dozen common souls whose hearts are full 
of love to God, and let them tell what Christ has done for 
their souls. Such sentiments as we hear quoted would 
discourage any young man from prayer-meeting work, and 
drive him out of the church prayer-meeting into the young 
people's meeting — one of the saddest mistakes ever made. 
No ; if any young brother, no matter how ignorant, has a 
desire he wishes to express, or a testimony to give, let him 
do it, and so cultivate the gift God has given him ; and if 
any of these people who are religious, but not spiritual — 
who have ideas, but not grace — stay away because they 
are not instructed, let them stay, and thank God for it. 
Any person who will stay away from a prayer-meeting 
because he is not instructed, is a wet blanket in the 
church and needs reconversion. As well try to kindle a 
fire with icicles as to quicken a church with intellectuality. 
The churches have lost power and souls long enough by 
this everlasting pious nonsense about instruction. Let the 
minister instruct the people from the pulpit, and then let 
the brethren witness to the truth he teaches; such is the 
only work of a prayer-meeting aside from the prayers. 



72 Waj^s and Meaiis. 

THE PRAYER-MEETING THE TEST OF A GOOD 
SOCIETY. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

My Dear Friends : 

One of the very best papers that I have heard in fre- 
quent attendance upon Christian Endeavor Conventions, 
was by Mr. Jamison, of Urbana, Ohio, on "The Prayer- 
meeting Committee." One thought that he brought out I 
wish to emphasize, and that is, that the average weekly 
prayer-meeting is the test of the society. We are too apt 
to delude ourselves with the idea that if we have good 
consecration-meetings, that is proof positive of the flourish- 
ing state of the society, or if, in seasons of special interest, 
we put on a spurt and have a few extraordinary meetings, 
that is enough; but either of these ideas is as pernicious 
as it is false. The Christian Endeavor Society is not a 
"sprinter," that can make a hundred-yard dash and beat 
all competitors; it is a steady-going, summer-and-winter, 
day-in-and-day-out society. It was established for constant 
service, not for a spurt nor for a few extra galvanic twitches 
of life once in a while. The test of any society is not what 
it does once in a great while, but what it does fifty-two 
weeks of the year. 

PYROTECHNIC SOCIETIES. 

Some men, as Sam Jones would say, are "built" on the 
grand pyrotechnic plan. They make a most brilliant dis- 
play on certain special occasions, but the rest of the time 
they are like the dead sticks and frames in which the 
rockets are fastened. These are far from being the most 
useful men, and though they may dazzle or startle the 
world, they leave little lasting impression when they go out 
of it. It is very much so with some societies. I have 
heard of those that have suddenly increased their member- 
ship to two or Uiree hundred; everything was "booming" 



Waj/s and Means. 73 

for a while ; but the stick came down finally; not a third 
of the active members proved to be " active " active mem- 
bers, and outsiders have looked on and said, "I told you 
so ; this Christian Endeavor movement is just like all other 
young people's societies. It sweeps clean while it is a new 
broom, but the broom part wears off after a little and 
leaves only the handle." 

A FEW TEST QUESTIONS. 

How is it with your society? Was it more flourishing 
at the beginning than it is now ? If so, something must be 
wrong, for the genuine Christian Endeavor Society, as the 
experience of more than eight years has shown, grows 
stronger with every passing year. Is your consecration- 
meeting so much superior to the regular weekly meeting 
that there is a sensible " sagging " experienced at other 
times, and the wish expressed that you could have a con- 
secration-meeting four times a month? Do you have a 
large attendance when the roll is called, and a light attend- 
ance at the other meetings? Then there is evidently 
some work for the lookout and the prayer-meeting commit- 
tees to do in your society. 

THE CONSECRATION-MEETING NOT THE TEST. 

The consecration-meeting should be different in some 
respects from the other meetings, to be sure ; but it should 
be a difference in kind of interest rather than in degree of 
interest. The ideal society will have just as large an 
attendance and just as helpful a meeting the other three 
weeks in the month, and the consecration service can only 
be what it ought to be, a re-dedication of everything to 
God, when the other meetings have indicated a continued 
and unswerving purpose to serve God always. We cannot 
renew our allegiance once a month and then take it back 
for the remaining days until the secretary calls the roll 
again. No matter how good the consecration-meeting is, 
do not think for a moment that that will make up for 
indifference to other meetings and other duties. The con- 



74 IVajs and Means. 

secration-meeting is rather the place and time when the 
batteries of zeal, love and devotion are stored with energy 
for future service, but if this power expends itself at the 
storage-house, it is a very useless kind of electricity that 
is generated. 

WHAT SHALL BE DONE? 

Perhaps your regular weekly meetings are as helpful and 
profitable as any, and with certain slight and inevitable 
fluctuation you see little difference between the meetings. 
If so, this letter is not for you ; but if there is a noticeable 
difference, do not rest satisfied until you have brought the 
average meeting up to the highest standard which has been 
set by the best meeting that your society ever held. There 
is no reason why a Christian Endeavor Society should ever 
have a poor meeting. Even if the meetings are "pretty 
good," do not let the good be the enemy of the best. 

What shall you do.-* I would have a joint meeting of 
the lookout and prayer-meeting committees, talk the situa- 
tion over, realize that there is no reason why you should 
not have the best always, and then set to work to get it. 

Perhaps there are too many members in your society 
(there cannot be too many active members, if they are all 
faithful) ; but if any active members have lost their interest 
and are willful and persistent in their absence, it is easy to 
know what to do about them. 

Perhaps many of the active members are only careless 
and thoughtless, members who neglect an occasional meet- 
ing simply because they cannot be made to realize that 
constant and regular attendance is required. Divide the 
names of such among the members of your committees, 
see each one quietly and in a kindly way; do not wait 
until they are on the ragged edge of dismission from the 
society, until they have missed two consecration-meetings, 
unexcused, but go to them at once and win them to a bet- 
ter and more whole-hearted service. 

Possibly the unfaithful ones are the younger boys and 



Waj/s and Means. 75 

girls who come, but often forget their pledge to take part. 
Sit near such, get a verse of Scripture for them, or suggest 
some word that they can say, and give them to understand 
that active membership means something and that their 
pledged word is a very sacred thing. 

don't apologize. 
Another helpful thought of Mr. Jamison's was that the 
committees have no reason to apologize for doing their 
duty. They should not go in an apologetic, least of all, in 
a cringing spirit, to delinquents. To have the best meet- 
ing possible is their duty ; they were chosen to remonstrate 
with unfaithful members, and they are simply fulfilling the 
trust to which they were elected when doing this duty. 
They will never forget, I am sure, that a loving and gentle 
attitude should be maintained toward even the most care- 
less and obstinate, but no one ever need apologize for 
doing his duty. If your average meeting is not up pretty 
near to the standard of the best, will you not think of this? 
With God's help you can soon bring it up so that four 
times a month and fifty-two times a year you will go home 
at the close of the prayer-meeting, saying to each other, " I 
believe this is a little the best meeting that we have ever 
had." 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

A GOOD PRAYER-MEETING. 

BY W. L. AMERMAN. 

In considering the general public duties of the prayer- 
meeting committee, we naturally take up the preliminary 
work before the meeting. This includes every kind of 
invitation and announcement that can successfully be 
used. It is well to invite the presence of visitors at the 
meetings; if not always, at least, at frequent intervals, to 
give a better opportunity for demonstrating the helpful- 



j6 Ways and Means. 

ness of the society and thus obtaining recruits, unless in 
the judgment of the committee the presence of outsiders 
is detrimental to the meeting; as, for instance, it may 
sometimes be at the outset of the society's existence. The 
best means of attracting these visitors, especially from 
among the new-comers to the church, should be carefully 
considered by the committee. 

Another important matter is the selecting and announc- 
ing of a suitable topic for the meeting, which should be, 
like terms of tuition, "always quarterly in advance." No 
leader has any right to come to a meeting with his subject 
locked up in his bosom or other obscure location, and after 
briefly expounding it, expect his audience to take up the 
new theme and " occupy the time." 

It is well, at the monthly consecration-meeting to fur- 
nish a general theme, or some personal question to be 
answered, which will be suggestive to all, and will tend 
both to unify the meeting and to prevent sameness in 
these services. For example : " How much owest thou 
unto thy Lord?" "What have I gained by Christian ser- 
vice?" "Is the Christian life worth its price?" etc. 

The topic list published by the United Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor is excellent and always available. It is 
hardly necessary to remind the prayer-meeting committee 
that they are responsible for the convenient arrangement 
of the seats, leader's table, the supply of Bibles and hymn- 
books in every seat, and of good air all around. 

THE CARE OF THE MUSIC. 

If not in the hands of a special committee, this also 
devolves upon them. The opportunity of leading at the 
piano or organ should be given to different members of 
the society in turn, so that all who can play may have the 
benefit of the experience ; serving, perhaps, two or three 
weeks consecutively. 

Leaders for the meetings should be chosen by the com- 
mittee well in advance, and often more with regard to the 



Waj/s and Means. 77 

development of the individual than to his capability for 
conducting a meeting smoothly ; but when, for this reason, 
inexperienced ones are put forward, the committee owe it 
to them and to the society to see that they receive neces- 
sary assistance and are properly prepared. 

A RESERVE FORCE. 

The members of the prayer-meeting committee should 
hold themselves as a reserve, ready to throw their weight 
where most needed in the service. Not always at its close, 
oftener at the very start, reinforcing a weaker leader by 
supplementing his words, and sending the meeting on with 
increasing momentum. When wanted, they should be on 
hand, filling the gap before it yawns; bringing out the 
important point that seems in danger of being overlooked; 
correcting wrong impressions ; helping to get back to the 
subject if an erratic member has side-tracked the train ; 
"backing up" the leader by observing and emphasizing 
his suggestions ; remembering the neglected request for 
prayer, and fastening and deepening, by well-chosen 
words, the impression for good which has been produced. 

WORK OF REPRESSION. 

As the committee concentrate attention and thought on 
improving the meetings in every possible way, certain com- 
mon but discourteous practices will engage all their 
patience and perseverance. 

The habit of coming late is one ; another is the thought- 
less chatting just before the meeting, or sometimes even 
after it has begun, which so often effectually dispels 
serious thoughts. Trifling after the close of a solemn 
meeting is the worst possible offence, as it defeats, on the 
verge of attainment, the very purpose for which the society 
has been founded. 

Hardly less objectionable than the familiar "sidewalk 
committee" is the group just inside the door, which often 
obstructs entrance till after the commencement of the ser- 
vice. The best rule for governing the number of ushers 



yS Ways and Means. 

to be employed, the amount of welcoming to be done at 
the door, etc., is to allow just as little that may distract the 
attention of those present as can possibly be m.ade to 
answer the purpose. 

ENTERTAINING ANGELS. 

The ideal prayer-meeting committee, if it has the co-op- 
eration of the ideal society, will doubtless arrange to enter- 
tain angels unawares in a more suitable manner than by 
forcing them to march through to the front of the room 
and take the seats which the regular attendants consider 
so undesirable. It is somewhat inconsistent to " earnestly 
invite" and " heartily urge " and "cordially welcome," as 
per printed and pulpit announcements, and then to receive 
them with the same uncivilized treatment which we accord 
to late comers and unaccompanied ladies ! The wise com- 
mittee will judge of all these things, not as great or small 
in themselves, but by their effect upon the meeting. Only 
those who are working hard and watching closely will 
appreciate the importance of these apparently trivial mat- 
ters. It is sometimes possible, however, by the use of 
tact, to enlist the help of an old offender in removing the 
very practice in which he has been foremost. When once 
he begins to combat it, he will quickly appreciate its inju- 
rious tendency. 

MONTHLY REPORTS. 

In making their monthly report to the business-meeting, 
the committee should always have some definite suggestion 
to offer — the point connected with the prayer-meeting 
that most needs the society's attention — and should not 
allow the matter to rest there, but should bring it again to 
the notice of the members until the desired end is 
attained. 

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 

Let me make, in closing, a few brief suggestions. 
Don't aim for a big meeting (you might as well aim to 
paint a big picture) • aim for a good one. 



Waj/s and Means. 79 

Try to get the members to bring their own Bibles to the 
meeting, just as they take their own tennis rackets to the 
court. 

Study variety in the service — rather than have two 
meetings just alike, face the chairs the other way. 

Never let the same member fail to fulfill his pledge twice 
in succession ; if this occurs, it is your responsibility as 
well as his. "Bad nursing kills many a patient." 

Cultivate the personal element in testimony ; better talk 
with the heart than with the head. 

Never be satisfied till, in your meeting, souls are won to 
Christ; and don't be satisfied then ! 

And now let me add the thought that the prayer-meet- 
ing committee who are doing faithfully their duty toward 
others, will themselves be growing in spiritual power. 

To whatever extent its members may help those about 
them, they will themselves be still more blessed of Him 
who says, "If any man serve me, him will my Father 
honor." And if we are not thus receiving the seal of His 
approval, let us look carefully within and see if any lack of 
full and hearty obedience is keeping back the success we 
seek. If from any hearts the cry now goes up, " Master, 
we have toiled — and taken nothing," may He give grace, 
as He summons them to a fresh attempt to new methods, 
bolder launching out and deep-sea fishing, for each to 
respond, despite weariness and discouragement, "Never- 
theless, at Thy word, I will." 

SOME LITTLE FOXES WHICH MAR THE PRAYER- 
MEETING VINE. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United- Society. 

My Dear Friends: 

It is an old proverb, but none the less true for being 
rather stale : " Trifles make perfection, and perfection 
is no trifle." So it is in our meetings for prayer. If the 



8o Ways and Means. 

observance of these little matters of which I shall speak 
do not make perfect meetings, they at least go far toward 
preventing unnecessary failures. We will never forget, of 
course, that the presence of the Spirit of God insures the 
good meeting; and yet, just as the musician can make 
better music with a flawless instrument, so the Spirit can 
use us better the more nearly we attain to flawlessness 
of character. 

SOME LITTLE FOXES. 

Among some of the little foxes that spoil the young 
people's prayer-meeting we may mention the scattering of 
the attendants over a large room. A dozen people can 
have just as good a meeting as a hundred, but they will 
not be likely to have a good meeting if two sit in the 
northwest corner of the vestry and two in the southeast, 
and four more on the west side and four in the center. 
An empty chair is a lonesome-looking object, whether it is 
at the family table or in the prayer-meeting room. Do not 
oblige the pastor or the leader of the meeting to urge you 
every week to "come up and take a front seat." How 
often I have heard the pathetic appeal made (I will not 
tell you how often I have made it) to " please come up and 
take the front seats ! " Then there is a pause as though 
the reluctant attendants would not even take that trouble 
to insure a better meeting ; until, if the leader insists on it 
and waits long enough, at length a few move up toward 
the center, where they know they ought to have gone in 
the first place. What an exceedingly little matter this is ! 
And yet it makes all the difference between a good meeting 
and an indifferent one. 

If you were calling on me you would not be careful to 
seat yourself at the extreme opposite end of a long parlor 
and talk across forty feet of vacant space. Why should 
we talk at each other in that way in the family sitting-room 
of the church.'' This far-off-back-seat idea shows a radi- 
cally wrong conception of the meeting. It is a survival of 



Waj/s and Means. 8 1 

the pernicious notion that in the prayer-meeting the min- 
ister is going to talk at you, and it ignores the true idea 
that it is a place for brothers and sisters to talk with 
brothers and sisters about the common Elder Brother. 
When we thoroughly get this true idea of the prayer-meet- 
ing into our hearts the front seats will cease to be at a 
discount and will command a premium at once. 
"louder." 
Another of the little things that spoil many a meeting is 
the low, mumbling tone in which certain prayer-meeting 
utterances are given. Scarcely anything is more trying 
than a number of testimonies or Scripture verses given in 
a voice utterly inaudible except to a person with an audi- 
phone and an ear-trumpet. " How can they hear without 
a preacher ? " says Paul. How can they hear, I w^ould 
like to ask, if you mumble something under your breath, 
so that your next neighbor cannot catch it? You may 
have the wisdom of a sage, but it will do the meeting very 
little good. I frequently feel like crying out "louder, 
louder," when some of these brethren and sisters, with 
feeble lungs, begin to speak, and I think I should do so 
if it would not be considered an improper thing in a 
meeting. 

LEADING IN PRAYER. 

When leading in prayer there is an especial temptation 
to smother our voices by leaning forward on the back of 
the chair in front. Let us remember that expression, lead- 
ing in prayer. While we pray to God we lead the petition 
of others, and this cannot be done intelligently unless they 
hear what we say and pray over with us the petition that 
we offer. The head should not be buried and the mouth 
covered up, but, whether we kneel, or stand, or simply 
bow our heads, let us pray so that we can be heard. 

APPROPRIATE HYMNS. 

In giving out a hymn that same difficulty is often found. 
"Mum-mum," remarks some one in the room. "What 



82 Waj^s and Means. 

number?" says the leader. "Mum-mum," again comes 
the voice. "What hymn did you say.?" asks the organist. 
This time, "number ninety-nine," comes the feeble 
response; but however appropriate the hymn, the good 
effect of it is half spoiled by this time. And this leads me 
to say, that if you give out hymns, give out those appro- 
priate to the subject and to the tone of a meeting. 
Sometimes I hear hymns given out that are about as 
appropriate as the " Dead March in Saul " to a wedding, 
or a hallelujah chorus to a funeral. As I have said before, 
I think it is usually best for the leader to give out the 
hymns which are to be sung with the instrument, though, 
of course, not infrequently some one in the audience can 
make even a wiser selection. If so, let him do it, or better 
still (and this is very rarely inappropriate), let him start 
it without any announcement. These are' little things, do 
you say ? Yes ; but they are not to be despised if their 
observance will make our meetings better. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

SOME MORE "TRIFLES" THAT MAKE PERFECTION. 

A familiar letter by the President of the United Society. 

My Dear Friends: 

I am daily more and more convinced that the difference 
between success and failure in life depends upon a very 
narrow margin of excellence. In these days of sharp 
competition, it is the man with a little more pluck and 
perseverance, a little more brain and will-power, a little 
more judgment and foresight than his fellows, who wins 
the day. 

MARGINS. 

The same law holds good in religious life and in the 
work of our societies. The society that is more particular 
than others to look after the little things will be the sue- 



Ways and Means. 83 

cessful one, and success means souls won for Christ, 
and the spiritual life of every member quickened and 
strengthened ; not merely good prayer-meetings and active 
committees. 

Most of our societies, in these days, are a good deal 
alike in their principles as they appear upon paper ; they 
have accepted the prayer-meeting pledge as an essential 
feature ; they have the consecration-meeting and the vari- 
ous lines of committee work; the difference between them 
in efficiency, sometimes so noticeable, depends upon a 
seemingly slight margin of faithfulness, earnestness and 
zeal. In this light, "little things" become great. 

125 PER CENT. AVERAGE ATTENDANCE. 

One noticeable difference between societies is found in 
the average attendance upon the meetings. If the aver- 
age attendance is small, compared with the membership 
of the society, something is wrong and that something 
should be remedied. At a recent State convention I 
found in the question-box the question, " What would be 
considered a good average attendance at the weekly 
prayer-meeting — 75 per cent.?" I replied that 125 per 
cent, would be about right; for if the society numbered 
one hundred members, at least enough more ought to be 
attracted by the character and spirit of the meetings to 
make an average attendance of 125. Perhaps this is too 
high a standard for some places, but in many it can be 
realized, and a little increase of interest and personal 
solicitation will bring it about. 

HOW DO YOUR MEMBERS TAKE PART .? 

The character of the participation also tells the story of 
the society. Is it almost wholly confined to Scripture 
verses, sometimes hastily found after reaching the meet- 
ing? Are there a certain number of active members 
whose voices are never heard and who are never disturbed 
in their unfaithfulness by the lookout committee ? Then 
something is wrong about that society. It is the general 



84 Waj/s and Meajts. 

disposition that I am writing about, rather than any par- 
ticular kind of participation. To recite a verse of Scrip- 
ture may be the most appropriate possible part for one to 
take, but if it is done as a makeshift, to cover up laziness 
and indifference, as a means of barely keeping in the soci- 
ety, it becomes a snare. 

"please sing the fifteenth hymn." 
So with other things. By the breath of song our hearts 
may be lifted up to God, but if barely for the sake of ful- 
filling the letter of the pledge, a dozen different ones get 
off with the cheap participation, " Please sing such and 
such a hymn," the whole tone of the meeting is lowered. 
If one can best express his feelings by the verse of a 
hymn, he can give it out, to be sure, but, in every such 
case, it should be prefaced with a few words of remark, 
otherwise, the impression is given that it is just a make- 
shift and a "get-off." In other words, the whole matter is 
summed up when we say: "The true Christian Endeavorer 
does not see how little he can do and barely keep his 
pledge and stay in the society, but how much he can add 
to the power of the meeting and the efficiency of the 
society." 

reverence. 
I think, too, that some societies may well give more 
attention to the deportment of the members. I am not 
speaking of laughing and whispering now — only the young 
hoodlum of either sex will disturb a religious meeting in 
any such way, but of less pronounced forms of irreverence. 
Do the members assume a reverent attitude in prayer. 
Are the heads all bowed, or the eyes all covered, or is 
there an unmannerly and unchristian staring about .-* To 
say the least, if such irreverence does not show a heart 
indifferent to the highest things, it shows a certain spirit- 
ual rudeness, if I may so term it, a callousness to sacred 
associations. 



Waj/s and Means. 85 

BETWEEN THE SERVICES. 

A pastor in the West has written me, asking if I would 
not call attention to the behavior of our members between 
the services, when the Christian Endeavor meeting pre- 
cedes the evening service. After the tension of the hour 
of prayer, there is a tendency to too great relaxation, 
perhaps even to boisterousness, on the part of some in the 
fifteen minutes of intermission. This matter certainly will 
not be overlooked in the model society. A few kindly 
words from the lookout committee, or the prayer-meeting 
committee, or, perhaps, the president will usually remedy 
the evil, which is almost always a matter of thoughtlessness. 

Pardon me for writing of these little matters. My only 
excuse is the old adage, "Trifles make perfection, and 
perfection is no trifle." In our societies, on these "trifles" 
may hang the destiny of many souls. In view of this, 
nothing can be accounted small. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

HOW SHALL WE TAKE PART IN THE CHRISTIAN 
ENDEAVOR MEETINGS.? 

BY JESSICA WOLCOTT ALLEN. 

The same cause produces different effects among differ- 
ent people. Remarks that to some may appear open to 
criticism, to others may be inspiration. These thoughts 
come to me as a preface to what is said in this chapter. 

The spirituality, intellectuality and requirements of soci- 
eties vary considerably, yet it seems probable that some 
suggestions may be made which will be applicable to all. 

STAND UP. 

I believe the best way sometimes to address the multi- 
tude is through the second person directly. So let me ask 
you, first of all — How do you take part physically? Do 



86 Waj/s and Means. 

you lean back in your seat and speak in a weak voice 
which cannot be heard beyond the seat in front of you? 
Or do you stand up and " speak a word for Jesus"? 

It is frequently noticeable that those who have the cour- 
age to rise are usually the ones who speak loud enough to 
render it unnecessary, so far as hearing them is concerned. 
It is the weak-voiced, faint-hearted sit-downers who are too 
often one and the same. But even if your voice is strong 
and can be heard in the most remote corner, the effect is 
much better when you stand. If you cannot "muster" 
courage to do so at your next meeting, try it at the first 
consecration-meeting. When your name is called, stand 
up instantly; and, after once doing so, there will no 
longer come over you the terrible sensation we all know 
too well, of the drifting away of one's strength when it is 
most needed. If your voice is naturally weak, do not 
strain it, but make only a slight exertion in this direction, 
turning your attention principally toward distinct utter- 
ance and correct emphasis. 

SEEK FOR VARIETY. 

It appears easier for some people to offer prayer, while 
others more naturally make a few remarks. Still others 
have " a gift " for neither one, and do not feel like trust- 
ing themselves with anything but a prepared verse to recite 
or something written to read. Vary your participation 
from one time to another, as you are able to. It is not 
necessary to advocate the use of biblical quotations. Yet 
it must have been apparent to any member of a large soci- 
ety that these should be left for those younger ones who in 
a great measure depend upon them. 

Whatever the subject of the meeting may be, there is 
always a certain number of especially appropriate quota- 
tions that can be made use of. 

If one who is able to take a very broad view of the sub- 
ject — one whose education and mind permit him to follow 
out many lines of thought — if he take the most familiar 



IVaj/s and Mea^is. 8/ 

verse of the Bible which naturally suggests itself to any 
mind, in connection with the subject, does he not, by 
repeating it in the early part of the meeting, run the risk 
of "bankrupting some less wealthy-minded neighbor? If a 
good thought comes to you, even though it be a little off 
the main line of the subject, you had best make use of it, 
as it will come out in the meeting as a sort of "relish." 

BE YOURSELF. 

Monotony is a prominent feature to be avoided. If one 
listens carefully at meetings, one will perceive the danger- 
signals in this and other directions. One signal is seen in 
the tendency at some meetings for each one, before speak- 
ing, to repeat the topic or the Scripture verse which is 
given with it. This is obviously unnecessary, as the sub- 
ject will receive sufficient attention through the course of 
the meeting, and this repetition only wears it threadbare. 
One of the surest reliefs from monotony is the imposition 
of personality upon the meeting ; that is, in this way : If 
you offer prayer, use your own natural language and tone 
of voice, never borrowing familiar phrases of others. Or, 
if you make a few remarks, when you have no original 
thought to offer, clothe the one which you borrow in the 
dress of your own expression, instead of reading it from 
book or paper, or writing it out to read. Some of the best 
effects of the best remarks are destroyed in every meeting 
by a lack of this personality that draws us into the closest 
contact with another's thoughts. You cannot make such 
an attempt on account of your frequent hesitations.'* Ah! 
dear, hesitating soul, it is just when those anxious seconds, 
which seem like hours, come, that the audience is yours. 
They have the same feeling under similar circumstances, 
and so give you their uttermost sympathy, and listen with 
an intensity of attention which no fluent speaker can com- 
mands One of the grand features of the Y. P. S. C. E. is 
that we can try to do the best thing in the best way, no 
matter how poor the result of the attempt may be, remem- 



88 Waj/s and Means. 

bering we are endeavoring to attain our ideal. It is a 
grand Christian training school of the church. 

BE BRIEF. 

Now, if the society to which you belong is a small one, 
it may be your duty to make an exertion to take more time 
in the meeting than you usually do, but this fact may be 
readily discerned if you notice how the time is occupied. 
It is better to be brief, and then, if opportunity seems to 
require it, -to take part a second time, than to appropriate 
more than your share of so valuable an hour by reading 
perhaps eight or ten verses of a poem, the whole thought 
in which might be expressed in two or three sentences. 

A single thought clearly expressed is better than a series 
of complex ones. It will make a better impression in the 
meeting, by giving it a " crisp " character, and it will be 
more easily retained in the minds of the listeners. 

There are many lines of thought in connection with this 
subject that have been ignored because of their prominence, 
but "of making" criticism and suggestions and of writ- 
ing there is no end, unless we make one. As a parting 
word, I beseech you, in doing your share toward sustaining 
a meeting, strive to furnish some spiritual food to satisfy 
soul-hunger, to strengthen some weakness, to revive faint- 
ness, to soothe a great pain, or to illuminate a gathering 
or gathered darkness. Your words should not be boats 
upon which an audience may merely float away on a pleas- 
ant little intellectual voyage, but transports conveying some 
good thing to all those who hear. 

TWO SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IDEAL PRAYER- 
MEETING. 

BY REV. S. W. ADRIANCE. 

Prayer-meeting Variety. It is wonderful what a vast 
number of changes may be introduced by merely a differ- 
ent arrangement of old factors. One of the best games I 



Ways and Means. 89 

know of, is to take a word like " tlianksgiving," and in a 
given time see how many words are wrapped up in it. 
This is done by simply re-arranging in many ways the 
letters which are discovered in it. This is just the kind 
of variety possible in our Christian Endeavor prayer- 
meeting. It is not alone by importing brand-new methods, 
but by re-arranging old ones. This ought to be the 
thought of the prayer-meeting committee. A new method, 
which at the start was full of freshness, may be used so 
often in exactly the same form that it loses its power. 

Close the Meeting on Time. No truth is more evi- 
dent than that a meeting may be ruined after it has suc- 
ceeded. I have repeatedfy known leaders to extend a 
meeting so long that it ended in a dreary, sorrowful 
failure. Sometimes this happens by neglect. Sometimes 
there has been such a delightful series of testimonies 
that the leader is unwilling to close at the end of the 
hour. Sometimes it is the fault of the meeting. The 
first half-hour has been dull, and then those present began 
to wake up. 'But nothing is an adequate reason for 
prolonging a meeting. Like a call, it would far better be 
short than long. One meeting extended beyond the time 
forms a precedent for others, and there is established 
a dangerous habit of waiting till the last fifteen minutes 
before taking part in earnest. All pastors who have 
made the prayer-meeting a success are very rigid in 
closing the meeting on time. If the testimonies have been 
brief, and all have participated, close then, in the midst of 
that genial interest. By all means, shorten the meeting 
five minutes, rather than lengthen it. 

VARIOUS KINDS OF MEETINGS- 

memoriter meetings. 
Many societies are finding memoriter meetings of great 
profit and interest. The general plan of the meeting is 



90 Ways and Means. 

similar to the following, the details being varied according 
to the taste of each society. No Bibles, hymn-books or 
notes are used during the service. The leader repeats the 
Scripture lesson, or, if he chooses, asks the society to 
repeat it in unison. In the latter case, the lessons should 
be announced a week or more before the meeting, in order 
that all may have an opportunity to learn it thoroughly. 
The singing may be led by the organ or may be unaccom- 
panied. In either case, as no books are used, it is of 
course necessary to sing familiar hymns, unless the leader 
has previously announced the hymns which he wishes 
sung. The corresponding secretary of the society in 
Princeville, 111., writes that their last consecration service, 
conducted in this manner, was ''one of the most earnest 
meetings of the year." We shall be glad to receive and 
publish further details, if desired. 

A MOTTO MEETING. 

Our motto is a plain and emphatic declaration of our 
principles, of the vital spark which has made Christian 
Endeavor the power it is in our land. " For Christ and 
the church " is the watchword of every true disciple of 
Christian Endeavor, and as long as we cling to that foun- 
dation of our faith we are sure to march onward in spirit- 
ual progress. I wish every society in our land could 
thoroughly realize this. There is occasionally a society 
which has not grasped the power which lies in the thor- 
ough inculcation of this motto. The true object and mis- 
sion of the Endeavor movement is to occupy a position 
with the Sunday School as a training school of Christian- 
ity. In union there is strength. Churches all over our 
broad country pay tribute to the value of this branch 
of church work. Do not, then, let our motto become 
dimmed. Keep it ever before your local society; and once 
a quarter or once a year hold a "motto" meeting, where 
every one shall declare personally his allegiance to Christ's 



Waj/s and Means. 91 

church. God has blessed us, and will do so, if we are true 
to our fundamental principles. George A. Rand. 

A PSALM SERVICE. 

To have a knowledge of the Bible we must be 
acquainted with the Old Testament as well as the New, 
the Psalms as well as the Gospels. A psalm service on 
this plan would be interesting to many. After the reading 
of a psalm by the leader, at the close of the opening prayer, 
let the congregation repeat in concert the Fifty-first Psalm. 
The committees can each read : Prayer-meeting committee, 
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Psalm ; missionary commit- 
tee. Seventy-second Psalm; social committee. Nineteenth 
Psalm; musical committee. Sixty-seventh. The members 
of the committees may read these in concert or one out of 
each committee can read them. For the benefit of some 
heavy-hearted one read the Twenty-third or Forty-sixth or 
One Hundred and Twenty-first Psalm. 

Ask some of the younger or the associate members, who 
are afraid of the sound of their voices in prayer-meeting, 
to sit together and repeat in chorus the First Psalm or 
some familiar psalm. It will help the meeting to have 
eight or ten tell which is their favorite and why. Have 
two-minute papers read on the Historical Psalms, the 
Prophetic Psalms, the Authors of the Psalms, the Inspi- 
ration and Canonical Authority of the Psalms. 

Our service will not be complete without the Eighth 
and Ninetieth Psalms. If possible, have these read by 
some one who loves them, and who, in the reading, can 
bring out their peculiar beauty. 

With singing and prayers this may be made a helpful 
service, or it may be changed into a praise service by omit- 
ting the papers, and reading and repeating the Ninety-first 
to the One Hundredth, the One Hundred and Third, One 
Hundred and Seventeenth, One Hundred and Eighteenth, 
and the One Hundred and Forty-sixth to One Hundred 
Fiftieth Psalms. 



92 Ways and Means. 

Another advantage is, tnat those who prepare this ser- 
vice will learn a great deal about the Psalms in the week's 
preparation for this meeting. 

BIBLE READINGS. 

Another way in which to give variety to the meetings is 
to have occasional Bible readings. Each member is 
expected to bring his Bible, but it is well for the leader to 
have an extra supply for chance visitors and those who 
invariably forget their possessions. The Scripture lesson 
may be read responsively by the leader and the members, 
or may be divided and read by several members in turn. 
The leader should carefully prepare his Scripture refer- 
ences, to have them as varied and pertinent as possible. 
They may be previously given on slips of paper to differ- 
ent members, or, better still, in order to insure every 
attendant's having a part, may be given verbally during 
the meeting, the leader reading the name and number of 
book, chapter and verse, and each member responding by 
repeating the same after him. In this way, no confusion 
arises from two or more persons having the same verse. 
After the references have all been given, the reading should 
begin, the leader calling for the references. The meeting 
should be as informal as possible, and any member should 
feel free to introduce or follow the verse he reads with 
original remarks or appropriate quotations. The Trinity 
M. E. Society of Lock Haven, Penn., and the Kirk Street 
Congregational Society of Lowell, Mass., report successful 
meetings at which this plan was tried. 

CORRESPONDENCE MEETING. 

A small but active society in Deposit, N. Y., has written 
us of a plan which other societies, similarly situated, may 
like to adopt. This band of young people is too far from 
other societies to belong to local unions or to attend con- 
ventions. As a substitute, the prayer-meeting committee 
has arranged for a correspondence meeting, and has asked 
several societies to send letters giving encouraging news, 



Waj/s and Means. 93 

suggestions for new work, and reports of progress. This 
will doubtless commend itself to other isolated societies 
which can thus gain some of the advantages to be derived 
from the conference of Christian Endeavor workers. 

A QUAKER SERVICE. 

We like the suggestions given below, by W. S. Creigh- 
ton, for an occasional meeting, though it ought to be 
understood, always, that every active member should take 
some part. "To wait for the spirit to move" should not 
be used as an excuse for saying nothing. The Spirit is 
always urging every Christian to make some acknowledg- 
ment of Christ in such a meeting, if he will listen to the 
voice. 

On a recent Sunday evening, the Christian Endea- 
vor Society of Broadway M. E. Church, Louisville, Ky., 
held what was called a Quaker service. The prayer- 
meeting committee selected no leader or organist and 
made no suggestions in regard to the service, except to 
request each member beforehand to take such part as the 
inflaeri.ce of the Spirit moved him to take. At the hour of 
service a brother started a song without the organ ; during 
the singing, a timid young lady voluntarily took the 
leader's chair, and, at the conclusion of the hymn, read the 
lesson announced for the evening and the verses she had 
selected, and then sat down. A young man gave out a 
hymn, and took his position at the organ and played it 
during the entire service. Then prayers, songs, talks and 
Scripture readings followed each other in rapid succession, 
calmly, quietly, and with an earnestness that was felt by 
every one present. The prayer of one young lady was so 
heartfelt, it seemed as if she brought her Saviour right 
down by her side and was communing with Him in our 
midst; oh, it was a grand prayer for the guidance of the 
Great Shepherd. The meeting was intensely interesting 
from first to last, and many of us were sorry to see the 
time for closing it come. With a heartfelt " Praise God 



94 Waj/s and Means. 

from whom all blessings flow," we went up-stairs to the 
regular services of the church. We think the idea a good 
one, and write you about it so that other prayer-meeting 
committees may make use of it. As our pastor said at the 
conclusion of the service, "This has been almost an ideal 
meeting." It was entirely voluntary, and each one took 
part as the Holy Spirit moved him. 

A PRAYER-MEETING PROGRAMME. 

We are constantly receiving programmes of Christian 
Endeavor services, and many of them are so well arranged 
and so suggestive that we are very glad to give them to 
others. Rather a model of its kind is this of what might 
be called an invitation-meeting : 

You are requested to fill out biank spaces with texts, 
and bring this programme to the meeting with you. 

Y. P. S. C. E. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

Sunday, May i()th, 7 F. M. 

Programme. 

Song. No. 151. 

Prayer. 

, Topic: ''Come Unto Me.'' 

Song. "Come Unto Me." 

Quartette. 
Why? 

a. Pardon. 

b. Salvation. 

c. Life Eternal. 

Song. No. 199. 

When ? 

a. To-day. 

b. Now. Do not delay 

Solo. *' Why will you do without Him?" 

How.^ 



Waj/s and Means. 95 

a. Through Christ 

b. Believing. 

c. Just as you are. 

Song. No. 211. 

I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING TO SAY. 

Mrs. J. W. Talladay, in an excellent address given 
before the district convention at Seneca Falls, N. Y., 
punctured with a sharp pen the old, oft-repeated excuse 
for non-participation in the prayer-meetings — "I couldn't 
think of anything to say." "There are 77,743 verses" 
(said she in effect, if we remember the figures rightly) "in 
the Holy Scriptures which you can repeat ; almost any one 
of them would be better than silence." Surely while there 
is a thesaurus so full of treasures to draw upon, there is no 
room for the weak excuse, " I couldn't think of anything to 
say." 

WAYS, THEMES, SOURCES. 

Rev. Albert D. Smijh, of Bedford, N. H., sends us the 
following hints for the prayer-meeting : 

WAYS OF TAKING PART. 

1. Repeat a passage of Scripture. 

2. Repeat (or read) an appropriate selection from other 
literature. 

3. Ask a question, oral or written. 

4. Say a word from your own thinking or experience. 

5. Offer a short prayer. 

"Freely ye have received, freely give." 

SOURCES OF PREPARATION FOR TAKING PART. 

1. Your private Christian life and experience. 

2. Your encouragements and discouragements in Chris- 
tian work. 

3. Your conversations with fellow-Christians. 

4. The sermon on Sunday. 

5. Your Sunday School lesson. 



96 Wafs and Means. 

6. Your private Bible reading. 

7. Your religious reading. 

8. Your general reading. 

9. Your knowledge of Christian work anywhere. 

10. Think much of the meeting. 

''Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are 
honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things 
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things 
are of good report, think on these things." 

HINTS CONCERNING METHODS FOR THE PRAYER- 
MEETING. 

HOW TO TAKE PART. 

BY MILLIE E. BRANDELL. 

Be yourself. Do not try to be anybody else. I heard 
of some girls who said they would not take part in meeting 
because they could not talk like a certain young lady who 
attended. 

Suppose you are invited to take tea with a family con- 
sisting of a father, a mother, a young lady daughter, a boy 
twelve years old and a little girl four years old. You sit 
down to the table, and every one feels perfectly free. The 
father gives an item of news, perhaps about the President's 
trip. The mother tells something which she heard when 
calling the day before. The young lady describes an 
experiment tried at the high school. The boy repeats 
some verses which his teacher taught him. And by-and- 
by the little girl makes you all laugh by telling how the 
dog ran away with her doll. You think what a nice, pleas- 
ant family ! How I am enjoying my visit ! 

On the other hand, suppose the little girl should say to 
herself, " Because I do not go to school, I am not going to 
say anything"; and the boy, ''Because I am not in the 
high school, I am not going to say anything"; and the 
young lady, " Because I cannot talk like father and mother, 



Wajys a7id Means. 97 

I am not going to say anything." So they keep still. 
What would you think? Something like this, I imagine — 
" I wish I was at home; what a stiff family ! " 

Sometimes, I am afraid, when strangers come into your 
prayer-meetings, they wish they were at home, and think 
you stiff because so many keep still. A prayer-meeting 
should be like a family circle, where every one, from the. 
oldest to the youngest, feels perfectly free to speak of the 
things which are helping or hindering him in his spiritual 
life. 

ONE-SENTENCE PRAYERS. 

They are a feature of our societies. They have been 
of great value in connection with our work. As our 
prayer-meeting pledge binds us to participation, and 
as our numbers are so great, some measures have become 
necessary in which, so to speak, the multitudinous prayer 
may arise. One person must not continue the petition too 
long, or he becomes difficult to follow. Promptness and 
gravity are essential to its successful use. Here is what 
one writer, who is particularly well qualified to speak, is 
moved to say from his observation and experience : 

"I also most heartily recommend the one-sentence prayer 
as being the best way for young persons, who have never 
prayed in public, to begin. This prayer should be held 
near the close of the meeting. All should bow their heads 
and each one offer a prayer of one sentence, such as — ''O 
God, bless our meeting " ; or " O Saviour, help us to live 
Christian lives " ; and other short petitions. The most 
timid can do this, and then, getting used to their own 
voices in public, will be ready to offer longer prayers, 
thereby adding interest to the meetings and receiving a 
blessing to themselves. The good effects of such prayers 
ought not to stop with ourselves, but to reach out into the 
church prayer-meetings, where they will create new zeal, 
and assist and encourage the laborers in the church." 



98 . Waj/s and Means. 

PRACTiCAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PRAYER- 
MEETING. 

Question. Why do you advocate the use of the Uniform 
Prayer-meeting Topics ? 

Ans. Because they are selected with the greatest care 
by those peculiarly experienced in such work. Because 
they are practical topics and not too hard to talk about. 
Because they are better than the average prayer-meeting 
committee will choose. Because they are explained, every 
week in many periodicals. 

Qiies. We are young and inexperienced, and have 
joined the Y. P. S. C. E. for what help we can get in our 
Christian life, but we have one difficulty. When we come 
to the prayer-meetings we have considerable enthusiasm, 
but it is soon dampened by a middle-aged man who gets 
up at the first and makes a long, tedious speech, and often 
follows it by a long prayer. After that we do not feel 
much like speaking. We do not like to speak of it to any 
one for fear of giving offense, and he will not be short, 
even when the request is made. What shall we do about 

it? 

Ans. The only advice we can give is to go to your pas- 
tor. Lay the case before him, not in a fault-finding but in 
a kindly way, and ask him to see that the brother is 
reminded to take less time. We think your pastor will 
help you out of the difficulty. 

Qiies. When members confine themselves simply to 
the reading of a Scripture passage in the prayer-meeting, is 
it well for the leader to try to draw them out by means of 
questions on it? 

A71S. If this were done judiciously it might be a good 
plan, otherwise it might drive them away from the meeting. 
A better way still is to go to such members privately and 
show them that they are not living up to their full privilege 
and duty. 



Wcrj'S and Means. 99 

Ques. Do you think it advisable to publish the names 
of those who are to lead the meeting. 

Ans. That is a matter for each society to decide. In 
most places there is no objection to this plan. In other 
places, if the young people came out much more largely 
when some of their companions lead the meeting than 
when others lead, it would be better not to publish names. 
Of course the members of our societies would go, anyway, 
whoever led. 

Ques. Should every active member be expected to take 
his turn in leading the prayer-meeting or should only the 
more experienced and competent be asked t 

Ans. Unless the society is very large we think all 
should usually take their turns in leading. It need not at 
first, however, be made a matter of conscience. The best 
meetings often are held where one of little experience is in 
the leader's chair, since all the others feel a peculiar 
responsibility to help. 



lOO Waj/s and Means, 



PART V. 

THE PRAYER-MEETING PLEDGE. 

FOR WHAT DOES THE PLEDGE STAND. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

Here is the revised pledge as recommended by the 
United Society : 

"Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I prom- 
ise Him that I will strive to do whatever He would like 
to have me do ; that I will make it the rule of my life to 
pray and to read the Bible every day; that I will support 
my own church in every way, especially by attending 
all her regular Sunday and mid-week services, unless 
prevented by some reason which I can conscientiously give 
to my Saviour, and that, just so far as I know how, 
throughout my whole life, I will endeavor to lead a Chris- 
tian life. 

" As an active member, I promise to be true to all my 
duties, to be present at, and to take some part, aside from 
singing, in every Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting, 
unless hindered by some reason which I can conscien- 
tiously give to my Lord and Master. If obliged to be 
absent from the monthly consecration-meeting of the soci- 
ety I will, if possible, send at least a verse of Scripture to 
be read in response to my name at the roll-call." 

Let me say emphatically that there is no disposition 
on the part of any one to force any form of words upon 
any society. This is not only a free country, but the Soci- 
ety of Christian Endeavor is a peculiarly free and flexible 
institution. Every society is at liberty to frame a better 
pledge than this, if it can ; but we hope that no society 
calling itself Christian Endeavor will ever think of leaving 
out the ideas of pledged and definite service. You may 



Ways and Means. lOl 

be assured, too, that this form was not thrown together 
hastily ; every word was weighed, and there is some reason 
for its being where it is. Moreover, nothing really new is 
imported into the pledge ; but simply one or two matters 
are defined and made clearer. 

"the rule of my life." 
Some tender consciences'have been troubled at the idea 
of promising to read the Bible and pray every day, and 
have been debarred from signing the pledge on that 
account, saying that in sickness, or certain conceivable 
circumstances, they could not read the Bible. Of course, 
the idea has always been simply that this was to be their 
regular, customary habit of life. Thus it is here expressed, 
" I will make it the rule of my life to pray and to read the 
Bible every day." This has always been the intent and 
purpose of the pledge, as I understand it, and by this 
phrase the intent is made plain. 

CHURCH ATTENDANCE. 

Then comes that clause about supporting one's own 
church, especially by attendance at all the regular Sunday 
and midweek services of the church. This, too, has 
always been a Christian Endeavor principle. The church 
has always been made supreme. It is simply putting into 
words the principle that has been insisted on at every con- 
vention, and adopted a score of times at State and national 
meetings, that the church and her services are supreme. 
Besides, there is no unreasonable burden put upon any 
soul. We promise to fulfill this duty of attendance upon 
the services of the church, unless prevented by some rea- 
son which we can conscientiously give to the Saviour. 
This is the Christian Endeavorer's only excuse, because it 
is the Christian's only valid excuse for the omission of any 
regular duty. Any Christian ought to be ashamed to offer 
to himself, or any one else, any other excuse than one 
which will satisfy his own conscience ; and this reason is 
especially provided for in this pledge. The burden, too, 



102 Waj^s and Afeafis. 

is left just where it ought to be left, on the individual 
conscience. 

TWO ESSENTIAL IDEAS. 

Now this first and general part of the pledge stands for 
two essential things in the religious life — private devotion, 
and loyalty to our own church; private devotion as exem- 
plified by prayer and Bible reading, loyalty to the church 
as expressed by regular and constant attendance upon her 
public services. 

If there are any more important features for us to 
emphasize, I confess I do not know them. Some may 
object that it is loading down the pledge too heavily. I 
think not. It is simply making definite an idea for which 
the society has always stood. There is no other way in 
which a Christian can better show his devotion than by 
attendance, even at personal inconvenience, on the services 
of the church. I should not be in favor of putting every 
Christian virtue into the pledge ; in fact, I can think of no 
other element that ought to enter in. Some people are 
very unreasonable about this. They want to ride every 
hobby right into the middle of the pledge. One gentle- 
man recently wrote me in a humorous vein, desiring to 
have the subject of good ventilation for vestries put into 
the pledge. If he had not been facetious this request 
would have indicated a very low sense of the solemnity 
and importance of this obligation. At any rate, there is 
no wish or intention to make the pledge a dumping-ground 
for every notion, but to make it stand for certain all- 
important requisites in the Christian life. Taking the 
first part of that pledge is often the turning-point with the 
young soul. It is a test of fitness for active membership. 
If one is willing honestly to promise these things, he is fit 
to be an active member. But it may be said, "This is more 
than many of the fathers and older Christians themselves 
are willing to promise." That, however, is no objection. 
It is a heroic generation of young Christians which is 



Waj/s and Means. 103 

growing up; and if the sadly decadent habit of church 
attendance is to be improved, it must be by the young 
Christian. 

VERY LITTLE TO ASK. 

And, after all, it is very little to ask of 

" A soldier of the cross, 
A follower of the Lamb," 

to attend the regular Sunday and weekday services of the 
church " when not prevented by an excuse which he can 
conscientiously give to the Saviour." Will any true young 
Christian refuse this ? I cannot believe it. 

REMEMBERING THE CONSECRATION-MEETING. 

These duties relate to the Christian life in general, 
whether one is a member of the society or not. The only 
other slight change in wording relates to the distinctively 
Christian Endeavor part of the pledge ; namely, the send- 
ing of an excuse for absence from the consecration-meet- 
ing. Many have interpreted that word "excuse," as a 
detailed reason for absence which they were unwilling 
always to give, considering their excuse a private matter. 
The intention is simply to obtain some expression from 
the absent one at the roll-call meeting to show that it was 
not forgotten. This result is better attained, it seems to 
me, by sending some message, at least a verse of Scripture, 
to be read at the meeting when the name of the absent one 
is called. Very seldom is this impossible, and the rare 
occasions when one cannot thus show his interest in the 
meeting is provided for by the words " if possible." 

NO GRIEVOUS BURDEN. 

To sum up, then, I do not think there is any grievous 
burden imposed on any tender conscience, nothing that is 
not fully within the power of any true young Christian 
always to fulfill. I do not think that there is anything 
new added, simply that the Christian Endeavor principle 



104 Ways and Means, 

is made more plain. As was said before, this form is 
offered in the way of a suggestion — a suggestion, how- 
ever, which I hope will be adopted by new societies and 
by old societies when they have occasion to revise their 
constitutions. At any rate, let this stand for the principle 
and declaration of our societies on these important 
matters. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

SOMETHING MORE CONCERNING THE PLEDGE. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

I wish to write again upon an old subject, but one that is 
as important as it is old — the prayer-meeting pledge. 

The last word has not yet been said upon this theme, 
and will not be until it is accepted beyond a cavil as a 
fundamental principle of Christian Endeavor societies. I 
hear once in a while of a society that is thinking of giving 
up the pledge. To be sure, I hear, within the same length 
of time, of a hundred others that unfortunately started with- 
out it, and have wisely remodelled their constitution and 
reorganized their society, adopting it in all its binding 
force; but, though the cases are few, I am always espe- 
cially sorry to hear of a society that takes any backward 
steps in this direction, for I am confident it means disaster 
and a short life to the society. 

WHY NOT LEARN SOMETHING FROM EXPERIENCE. 

Why not learn some things, let me say to any societies 
that are thinking of weakening their obligation, from the 
experience of others? Surely, it can hardly be supposed 
that your society is wiser than all the other eleven thou- 
sand societies. No one is arrogant enough to believe 
this, I hope, and if experience has placed any o«e thing 
beyond question, it is that to continued life and a steady, 
healthy growth, the prayer-meeting pledge is indispensable. 



Ways and Means. 105 

The failure of every society that has failed, so far as I 
know (with the exception of one or two that have been 
crushed out by prejudiced pastors or churches), can be 
traced directly to a lack of the prayer-meeting pledge. Is 
not that significant? 

WHY EXPERIMENT? 

There is no reason to suppose that your experience will 
be different from that of every other society that has made 
this unfortunate experiment. If only one society or two 
could testify concerning the value of the prayer-meeting 
pledge, you might well say, "This matter has not been 
proved. The efficacy of this idea has not been tested. 
Other societies can try their plans and we will try ours." 
But this is no longer a matter of experiment. One thing 
has been proved, and that is, that only those Societies of 
Christian Endeavor that live up to the pledge have pros- 
pered for any great length of time. 

THE DISTINGUISHING MARK. 

Without the pledge, a Society of Christian Endeavor has 
very little advantage over any other young people's society. 

The idea of young people's organizations in the church is 
nothing new. They have existed for many years. They 
have done some good, but in most churches they have 
attained very little permanent success. Why? Because 
some important element was lacking. But here is an 
organization called Christian Endeavor, which has brought 
in a new and quickening element into young people's soci- 
eties. Why leave out the distinctive element, and still call 
it a Society of Christian Endeavor ? It does not make a 
woodsaw cut any better to call it a razor, and, besides, it 
confuses ideas and mixes up implements which ought to 
be known by different names. 

If any one wishes to have an old-fashioned young 
people's society or a new-fashioned young people's society, 
he is perfectly at liberty to have one, and, if it is better 
than the Christian Endeavor societv, we will all thank God 



io6 Waj/s and Means. 

and adopt it; but it is manifestly unfair to adopt the name 
and leave out the most essential principle which has made 
the society successful. 

WHAT IS THE PLEDGE? 

Many people object to the pledge simply because they 
have not read it or do not know what it means. So far as 
it particularly relates to the Christian Endeavor Society, it 
is a promise to be present and to participate, in some way 
aside from singing, in every prayer-meeting, "unless pre- 
vented by a reason which can conscientiously be given to 
the Master, Jesus Christ." The argument which supports 
this pledge is very simple and very logical. 

1. Young people's prayer-meetings are necessary to the 
best life of a church and of the young Christians. 

2. If so, it is the duty of the young Christians to attend 
and sustain them. 

3. The only excuse which avails for the non-performance 
of any duty is one that can conscientiously be given to the 
Master, Jesus Christ. 

4. Such an excuse is accepted, and such an excuse only 
ought to be accepted, by the Society of Christian 
Endeavor. 

Therefore, the pledge is not only necessary, as experi- 
ence has proved, but is an entirely reasonable promise for 
any young Christian to take. 

A VOLUNTARY OBLIGATION. 

It should never be forgotten that this obligation is a 
voluntary one. No one ought to be compelled or over- 
persuaded to join the society. Whenever one wishes no 
longer to remain, he can go out. He ought not to be 
forced to remain. It is not a life-long pledge, but, while 
one is an active member, it ought to be a sacred pledge. 
If there are only six out of a hundred young people who 
are willing to take it, let these six form the active member- 
ship of the society. 



Waj/s and Means. 107 

OBJECTIONS. 

*'This duty is involved in church-membership." 

Certainly, but is the duty performed t This pledge 
makes the duty definite and forcible. No new obligation 
is assumed, but it is worth quite as much to renew and 
make vital an old pledge as to form a new one. 

" It may be impossible to fulfill my pledge sometimes." 

Then you have an excuse which the Master will accept. 

" It will serve to make the members hypocritical." 

Experience proves the reverse. 

" Our pastor and church do not believe in such pledges 
and are not willing that we should take them." 

Then do not have a Society of Christian Endeavor until 
they are willing. 

"I have known of a society that has got along pretty 
well without it." 

I have known of a hundred that have not got along at 
all well without it, and I have known of many thousands 
that confess that this is absolutely essential. 

NO BACKWARD STEP. 

I have the greatest sympathy for all societies that 
started in the wrong way or find it difiicult to live up to 
the pledge. It often takes months to reorganize wisely 
and on the right basis, and to bring all the members up to 
the standard. With failures and mistakes, when a society 
is struggling to raise its standard, we may all well have 
sympathy ; but I have no sympathy with a society, which, 
in the light of these eight years of experience, deliberately 
lowers its standard and weakens its pledge. That any 
such society will pretty surely fail, as it deserves to fail, is 
the opinion of 

Your friend, 

F. E. Clark. 



io8 Waj/s and Means. 

MAGNETIZING THE IRON-CLAD PLEDGE. 
One of our valued correspondents, whose happy thoughts 
the readers of The Golde7i Ride have frequently shared, 
reminds us that while the "iron-clad" pledge is proving 
to be more and more necessary to our societies, it should 
always be made of "magnetized iron," to attract and draw 
within its reach all the young people of the community. 
There could not be a better suggestion. The cheery 
words of faith, hope and charity, the cordial grasp of the 
hand, the welcoming smile, will magnetize the iron-clad 
prayer-meeting pledge, and none will desire to escape its 
influenceo 

INVERTEBRATE SOCIETIES- 

BY REV. NORMAN PLASS. 

Of all the names by which the pkdge of our Christian 
Endeavor Societies may be designated, I prefer to call it 
the "backbone" of the society. 

Let me tell you why. 

When in college, among the Berkshire hills of Massa- 
chusetts, I used to see come riding down from the mount- 
ains, a man whom a casual observer would deem intoxi- 
cated. Such, however, was not the case. The poor fel- 
low, it was said, had came into the world with a scant 
supply of bones, and the most conspicuous of all for its 
absence was his backbone. As a consequence of this 
alleged defect, he could not easily assume or maintain an 
erect position, and every jolt of the wagon caused him to 
perform various arctics of a painfully amusing nature. It 
was hard to tell whether he was trying to maintain his 
equilibrium, or to describe a curvilinear periphery. 

Without stopping to pass judgment upon the physiolog- 
ical possibility or impossibility of the case, but assuming 
the explanation to be a true one, you v/ill at once discover 
why the word "backbone" is truly descriptive of the 



Waj/s and Means. 1 09 

importance of our pledge. How like to this man are those 
societies that come into existence without the pledge. 
Claiming to be Christian Endeavor, but lacking this most 
important part of their anatomical structure, they are sim- 
ply invertebrate — a mere promiscuous conglomeration of 
adipose and skinny tissue, without sinew, muscle, or 
nerve, without structure or strength. Every jolt of the 
wagon in which they ride causes them to sway from side 
to side ; every obstruction with which they meet makes us 
shudder lest they be pitched precipitately from their seats; 
and they need constant strapping at the back, and bolster- 
ing at the sides, and bracing at the dashboard, in order 
that they may continue upon their journey at all. It would 
seem to have been better for them never to have been 
born than to come into life without the spinal column. 

Let us never lose sight of the importance of the pledge. 
Occasionally we see a society which came into existence 
with the vertebral column in perfect condition — not a 
vertebra wanting, each perfectly articulating upon the 
other — which for a time grew and developed, but sud- 
denly is afflicted with a terrible attack of curvature of the 
spine. Its backbone seems to be twisting and turning as 
though trying to squirm its way out, and all concerned 
seem to be anxious to have it get out. 

Now we want no such disloyalty to our backbone as 
that. We must be in love with it. We must cling to it 
for our lives. It is the token of the highest type of life, 
and our highest usefulness depends upon the persistency 
with which we cling to it. 

Let us briefly mention a few of the heresies that are the 
progenitors of these invertebrate societies : 

One is an under-estimation of the importance of the 
pledge. Many of these invertebrate societies were born 
before the pledge had been so well te:^-ted and its impor- 
tance proved. Now the necessity of the spinal column is 
being more abundantly shown. Many of these inverte- 



no Wajs and Means. 

brate societies, convince;! of their mistake, have submitted 
to a surgical operation by which a backbone has been 
inserted within their structure, and they stand in our midst 
to-day erect and firm, endowed with newness of strength. 
Every year fewer societies in proportion to the whole 
number are being born of this progenitor. 

Another heresy, procreator of invertebrates, is the fear 
of the pledge. It is an innovation, and as such many 
upon whom the societies will count for help will oppose it. 
Some declare that they will not sign it; others threaten to 
leave the society if the pledge is adopted. Hence many 
societies fear its adoption and remain invertebrate. But if 
convinced that the pledge is a good thing, we should go 
straight ahead and adopt it. Let those who do not care to 
sign it stay out. All that are worth having will come in. 
What if some do turn aside.? Better ten earnest members 
who are loyal to their pledge than a hundred half-hearted 
ones. Yet it is the exception where the introduction of 
the pledge lessens the number of members. Oftener is it 
the touchstone that reveals the true metal where before we 
never imagined it to exist. I have read this testimony 
from one of our observant pastors : " Strangely enough, 
the stricter the pledge the greater the vigor, and the larger 
the number of active workers." Some may turn away 
from the society because of the pledge, and become dead 
to it, but, as is said of mosquitoes, seven others will come 
to every funeral, and come to stay. 

Still another heresy, fruitful of invertebrates, is the idea 
that the society had better start without the pledge and 
gradually grow into it. As a matter of fact, this evolution 
from the pledgeless to the pledged condition is much like 
that which would develop the monkey into the man. You 
can't begin with a duck's ^^g, and develop from it that 
other aquatic animal, the hippopotamus. If your first 
growth isn't a genuine cub, your final development cannot 
be an old bear. Science has found no secret and invisible 



Waj/s and Means. Ill 

line of transition from the invertebrate to the vertebrate 
state. The society that warts the pledge must incorporate 
it, and not seek to absorb it. There are animals that 
absorb their food, but they are mostly parasites. A man 
would not expect to get outside of a turkey by sitting down 
at the table and holding the bird under his arm. Swallow 
the pledge at once, and you will find it sweet to the taste, 
pleasant to digest, easily converted into muscle, and a con- 
stant and unending source of growth and strength. 

May the time soon come when the name invertebrate, as 
applied to societies that profess to be Christian Endeavor, 
shall be no more, for the reason that societies that are 
now invertebrate shall have been transformed, and others 
of their kind shall have ceased to be born into the 
world. 

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PLEDGE. 

A Familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

Curious letters sometimes come to my desk, asking 
something like this : " How is the prayer-meeting pledge 
to be interpreted.'*" or, "What is the responsibility of 
active members as to the prayer-meeting obligation t " I 
frequently feel like answering — "Why, what do the words 
mean 1 Consult a dictionary ; that will tell you what 
'absolute necessity' means, and what 'attendance' and 
'participation' signify." 

Really, these words have no mysterious and occult 
meaning in the constitution of the Society of Christian 
Endeavor. These words are good English, and good 
American as well. 

But, not to treat the subject flippantly, I suppose such 
questions mean : How strictly shall the obligation be inter- 
preted ? How rigidly shall the vow be adhered to ? And 
to this there is only one answer : " Just as rigidly as any 
vow." Just as sacredly must this^romise be kept as any 



112 IVaj/s and Means. 

promise. There are no grades, so far as I know, in the 
binding nature of promises. One pledge is just as sacred 
as another, if both are reasonable, and made with serious 
intent. 

ONE REASON FOR THESE QUESTIONS. 

It is not altogether creditable to our religious earnest- 
ness that we should even ask these questions, and yet it is 
not unnatural, since too many Christians have, all their 
lives, been practically considering their church vows as the 
lightest of all. They have promised " to support the 
worship and ordinances of the church," but, except in 
seasons of special revival, they are never seen near the 
prayer-meeting. They have promised "to give as the 
Lord hath prospered them," and out of an income of forty 
dollars a week they give five cents. They promise "to 
pray for the peace of Zion," and in the first church quarrel 
they take a vehement partisan position. 

I am not saying these things to find fault with the 
church, or to criticise Christians (to constitute one's self 
general religious censor is a poor business), but I mention 
these plain facts to show how the idea of the insignificance 
of church vows has become ingrained in the Christian 
world. It is not strange, then, that young Christians 
should be slow to realize how binding and solemn are their 
religious obligations. I have seen middle-aged Christians, 
very good people in their way, too, who have joined our 
society as active members, and have not attended one 
meeting a month, and apparently they have had no com- 
punction of conscience. They have been doing immense 
harm all the time, and yet have gone on serenely and 
smilingly, as though every duty was conscientiously per- 
formed. They, apparently, did not know any better. 

Let the young friends, whose religious habits are not yet 
fixed, start out better, understanding the sacredness of our 
vows, and living up to th^. 



Waj/s and Means. 1 1 3 

DEFINITE VOWS. 

One good thing about our promises in the society is, 
that they are definite. We promise not only to be good, 
but to be good for something; not only to do right, but to 
do right in some definite direction. 

It is very easy to make an indefinite, general, hazy 
promise to be better, and then it is very easy to break that 
promise. Our pledges in the society are definite, partic- 
ular, comprehensible — let us live up to them honestly. 
There is a captious, disputatious spirit, of course, to be 
avoided, the spirit which strains at a gnat and swallows a 
camel, a spirit which refuses to make any promises, and 
gives the poor excuse of possible non-fulfillment. Said a 
young lady the other day, in a very pert and uppish way, 
which was meant to be very bright and captivating : 

"Oh, I'll never join that society. I may some time 
want to go away from home for a summer vacation, and if 
I promise to attend every meeting I can't get out of town 
for a single week." Of course she knew better, and was 
only talking for effect; but just such silly objections are 
being constantly raised by those who ought to be ashamed 
to raise them. 

SANCTIFIED COMMON-SENSE. 

In all these duties there is an excellent opportunity for 
the exercise of sanctified common-sense. Each one of us 
must decide what is a good and sufficient reason for him, 
for absence from the weekly prayer-meeting ; but he must 
decide with a tender and sensitive conscience. A social 
engagement, the call of a friend, the last interesting novel 
or magazine, a threatening sky or a little rain, for persons 
in health, are not sufficient reasons. But, as to my telling 
you what is or is not a good excuse for you, or as to your 
giving me the same advice, that is quite impossible. God 
gave us both consciences, and a fair share of common- 
sense, I hope; and He meant we should use them in 
deciding all these duties. Any reason which you C3n give 



114 Wajfs and Means. 

on your knees to the Lord Jesus Christ, with a good con- 
science, for non-attendance or non-participation, is a good 
excuse, and no other is worth the giving. 

I do not think our pledge can well be put in a more 
reasonable or sensible way than it is in our model 
constitution. 

Please study it once more, and I do not think you will 
have any real difficulty in interpreting these promises. 

Francis E. Clark. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PLEDGE. 

Question. Is it not a little unreasonable to demand 
that every active member shall take the prayer-meeting 
pledge. 

Ans. That question is answered by the pledge itself, 
which is in substance : " I promise that I will be present 
at and take some part aside from singing in every weekly 
prayer-meeting of the society, unless prevented by some 
reason which I can conscientiously give to my Lord and 
Master, Jesus Christ." Is it a Christian's duty to attend 
and sustain a weekly prayer-meeting? If so, then he can 
only be absolved from this duty by an excuse which he can 
conscientiously give to Christ. There is the whole thing 
in a nutshell. No other good excuse is conceivable, and 
this excuse and this only may be given by an active mem- 
ber of the Y. P. S. C. E. If he keep his conscience 
tender, he will make no mistake in this matter. The 
pledge is not only essential to a true Christian Endeavor 
Society, but it is as reasonable as it is necessary. 

Qiies. Is it necessary to sign both constitution and 
pledge, or is signing the pledge sufficient? 

Ans. Every member should sign and keep the printed 
pledge, to serve as a reminder to himself. He should also 
sign the secretary's book as a member of the society. 
This book should contain the constitution. 



Waj/s and Means. 1 1 5 

Ques. Does not the prayer-meeting pledge develop a 
wordy, insincere type of piety? 

Ans. By no means. It is the great foe of speech-mak- 
ing in the prayer-meeting. It compels brevity, and 
encourages sincerity and earnestness. 

Ques. Have there not been many instances of societies 
that have flourished without the prayer-meeting pledge ? 

Ans. No ; we have never known of any that flourished 
for any length of time without the pledge. There may 
have been such societies, but we have not known of them. 
To be sure, while everything is new and the enthusiasm 
fresh, a society may prosper, but the pledge gives it staying 
qualities. Many do not seem to know what a flourishing 
society or a meeting of real power is. By their standard a 
society and a meeting which are very far from the best are 
considered good. Let no Christian Endeavorer be satisfied 
with anything less than the best. 

Ques. If the excuse or reason is a valid one and the 
absentee knows it, and if he does not wish to tell it, as it is 
strictly private between him and God, how can he fulfill 
that clause .? By sending a testimony t 

Ans. The constitution is satisfied if the absentee sends 
word that he could not be at the meeting. It is not 
expected that one will go into particulars as to the nature 
of the excuse. It is much better, however, not only to 
send- word that one is not able to be present, but also to 
send a written testimony or verse of Scripture. We hope 
all societies will adopt this plan of requiring from 
absentees at least a verse of Scripture, to be read as a 
token that they have not forgotten the meeting or their 
vows. 

Ques. Does the following quotation from the pledge, 
"unless hindered by some reason which I can conscien- 
tiously give to my Lord and Master Jesus Christ," apply 
to reading the Bible every day, as well as to attendance 
and participation in each meeting ? 



1 1 6 Waj/s and Means. 

Ans. Yes. 

Qiies, What would you consider a valid excuse for not 
reading the Bible every day? 

A71S. Serious illness, attended by unconsciousness or 
delirium, or shipwreck without a Bible on a desert island. 
1 Ques. Would it be wise for a society, having recently 
reorganized, to weaken the pledge by striking out the 
clause regarding the Bible reading. 

Ans. No. To answer these questions very seriously, 
sanctified common-sense must be used in connection with 
all religious work. Every Christian knows what will con- 
stitute a valid excuse for himself, and the tender con- 
science will make no mistake. There are no ordinary 
circumstances in which the Christian cannot find a few. 
minutes daily in which to read at least one verse out 
of God's word. This is not distinctively a Christian 
Endeavor feature, as is the pledge to attend and partici- 
pate in the weekly meeting, but we cannot see why any 
young Christian should refuse to pledge himself to make 
it ''the rule of his life" to read the Bible dail}^, or should 
have any difficulty in living up to such a pledge. If he 
cannot read a chapter he can read half a chapter, or if 
not half a chapter a paragraph, or if not a paragraph a 
verse. 

Ques. Should a pledge against the use of liquor and 
tobacco be made a part of the regular Christian Endeavor 
prayer-meeting pledge .? 

Ans. We think not. Circulate another pledge for 
those worthy objects, and get as many signatures as pos- 
sible. It is very poor policy to load the prayer-meeting 
pledge down. There is enough in it already. 



JVaj/s and Means, 117 



PART VI. 

THE CONSECRATION-MEETING. 

CONCERNING THE CONSECRATION-MEETING. 

A Familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

I have had more than one letter asking for suggestions 
for the Consecration-Meeting. Occasionally I hear of a 
society that tries to get along without one, but such news 
almost always comes with the additional information that 
the society is living at "a poor dying rate," and that it 
wishes to re-organize and re-form. So I have come to the 
conclusion that a monthly consecration-meeting is not 
only a benefit, but a necessity to the most efficient type of 
Christian Endeavor Society. Like all the other features 
of the society, the consecration-meeting has proved its 
right to be by the blessings it has conferred, and the soci- 
ety that refuses to have such a meeting is exceedingly 
unwise, since it is rejecting not a theory but a proved 
blessing. I have two or three suggestions to make : 

THREE SUGGESTIONS. 

First, Make it a very solemn and serious hour. There 
are no such sixty minutes in the all four weeks of the 
Chiistian Endeavor month as that hour of consecration. 
No hour that may be so filled with blessing, no hour that 
may be looked back upon with such delightful memories. 
A spirit of quiet, reverent solemnity should pervade it. It 
should be surrounded with the atmosphere of the commun- 
ion table, for, like the communion season, it is an hour for 
the renewal of allegiance. A brief, earnest prayer should 
always be offered before the roll is called, asking that 



1 1 8 Waj's and Means. 

every one whose name is called may in spirit and in truth 
re-consecrate himself to God. 

Second^ Let there be as much variety as possible. 
There will necessarily be some sameness, for all the names 
must be called every month ; but you do not need to begin 
with just the same name always. Begin at different ends 
of the alphabet, or in the middle sometimes. Above all 
things do not have the names called in a bungling, 
"slouchy" way. The secretary or whoever calls the roll, 
should be familiar with every name, and know just how to 
pronounce it in a quiet but distinct tone. To boggle and 
blunder through the names very soon destroys all the seri- 
ousness of the meeting. 

LOOK AFTER ABSENTEES. 

Third, Let no unexcused absence go unnoticed. The 
sentiment of a society should be such that any such 
absence would be considered a very abnormal and excep- 
tional thing, something for the lookout committee at once 
to inquire into; not something that shall slide along 
unnoticed until the unfaithful member is on the edge of 
expulsion. The conscience of the society, if I may so 
speak, as well as of the individual members, should be 
very sensitive on this score. Let every case of unexcused 
absence be at once followed up. Cultivate such a spirit 
of loyalty that an absent member would no more think of 
being away without sending a note, or at least a verse to 
be read at the consecration-meeting, than a loving child 
would think of being away from home without occasionally 
writing to the home friends. For the sake of suggesting a 
pleasant variety in our consecration-meetings, I am glad to 
give you the letter which Rev. S. W. Adriance recently 
wrote to a young man who asked advice concerning a 
praise and consecration-meeting combined. He allows 
me to copy his letter for the benefit of all. Certainly 
praise and consecration lie not far apart, and such a com- 
bination as Mr. Adriance describes would often be 



Waj/s and Means. 1 1 9 

helpful. Of course this suggestion is only for an occasional 
meeting, and it would not answer in a very large society 
where all the time is occupied in calling the roll. Here is 
his letter : 

My Dear Brother: 

It seems to me a delightful union, that of a consecration and 
praise-meeting for an occasional service. I would not try to keep the 
two ideas apart. In Romans xii: i, the apostle, you remember, stirs 
them up to praise by the mercies of God, and then upon that urges 
them to consecrate themselves out of gladness. It is easier to con- 
secrate ourselves when we are full of praise than at any other time. 
As to practical methods : 

First, I would at the start read one selection of three or four 
verses on consecration, with one verse of a hymn between ; then three 
or four on praise. 

Second, I would sing two verses of a hymn of praise, such as Coro- 
nation, and then say, " Such a Saviour is worthy of consecration," and 
sing two verses of " Draw me Nearer," or some such hymn. 

Third, Lead the rest in repeating all together the twenty-third 
Psalm, which, in the last two or three verses, is full of grateful 
praise. 

Fourth, Go personally to ten or fifteen before meeting and ask part 
of them to give a reason for praise, and part to be ready with a per- 
sonal word of consecration. 

Fifth, Make a little order of the meeting. I suppose you call tne 
roll of active members. Arrange it something like this: Singing — 
"We praise thee, O God, for the 'Son of thy love'"; Calling roll — 
Mary Barnes, William Adams, James Wilson, Helen Clark, Stephen 
Potter, Ernest Everett. Singing — "Thine, Jesus, Thine." Elizabeth 
Evans, Susie Robie, Will Stimson, Robert Gates, Hamden Greenleaf. 
Ask two or three to offer prayer for the associate members, and sing, 
"I am praying for you." And so on through the list. 

Sixth, In preparation for this I would look on the list and discover 
who do not usually take part except with a verse, and go to them per- 
sonally, urging them to give an additional word of consecration or 
praise when their names are called. If any of your members are sick, 
get some one to procure a little note from them, or a word of greeting. 

Seventh, Ask them to follow one another with brief prayers, each to 
express some thought of praise and not to contain any petition. We 
ask mo3t often in our prayers ; in a praise-meeting we ought to return 
thanks. 



120 Ways and Means. 

Eighth, At the close, after a moment's silent prayer with bowed 
heads, all rise and sing the consecration hymn, "Must Jesus Bear the 
Cross Alone ? " 

The prayerful ingenuity of every prayer-meeting com- 
mittee will no doubt suggest many other helpful methods 
of conducting the consecration-meeting. 

Let us put so much earnest thought and effort into it 
that this meeting shall prove the gem and pearl of all the 
month. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

CALLING THE ROLL. 

BY REV. F. E. CLARK. 

The most important thing about the consecration-meet- 
ing is the calling of the roll. This should be a most sol- 
emn service. It should be preceded by earnest prayer, 
and the names should be called, as has been said, in a quiet, 
serious way by some one who is familiar with them and will 
not stumble over them. How suggestive is this roll-call! 
*'Your name is on the active list," this roll-call says to 
every young Christian, "because you are supposed to 
be an active Christian. Does your life bear out that 
supposition ? 

" If you are not present your name will be called just 
the same, and if you have no excuse your unfaithfulness 
will appear to all. 

"Your name is called because you have confessea your- 
self to be a Christian. Have you been living as a Chris- 
tian the past month ? Do you resolve so to live next 
month 1 

"Your name is called because it is written among the 
Christians on earth ; is it written in heaven ? " 

These questions and a hundred others are forced upon 
our souls with every consecration roll-call. Let us never 



Ways and Means. 1 2 i 

omit it as the months recur. There is very much in the 
constant, regular recurrence of such a meeting. Dr. Bush- 
nell has a sermon on "The Disciplinary Effects of Routine 
Duties." That is a wonderfully suggestive phrase. 

A consecration-meeting once a year or at occasional, 
irregular intervals would not accomplish much, but the 
very fact that it recurs as often as the months recur is of 
itself an education. I hope no society will think lightly of 
this "means of grace." 

A SUCCESSFUL CONSECRATION-MEETING. 

Some societies find it difficult to have a successful con- 
secration-meeting. Some fail to respond. Others do so 
sim.ply with a text of Scripture that has no special adapt- 
iveness as a testimony. Many of the readers of Ways 
and Means will be interested in a brief account of a con- 
secration-meeting held recently by the Y. P. S. C. E. of 
the First Presbyterian Church of Marshalltown, la. 

We use the national topics, and, therefore, our subject 
was "Coming to Christ." The leader opened the meeting 
and then called for brief prayers, to which about six 
responded. Then he suggested to them that, in harmony 
with the subject and as this was a consecration-meeting, it 
would be interesting and profitable if each would describe 
briefly what was the special cause of his coming to Christ. 
Twenty-three responded in about fifteen minutes, a stanza 
of a hymn coming between the testimonies at intervals. 

Here are briefly the responses : " My sense of gratitude 
to God who had loved me so." "A personal invitation 
from the pastor led me to think of the matter." "In a 
heavy thunder-storm a sense of danger led me to seri- 
ous thought." " After reading Bancroft's ' Footprints of 
Time' I became convinced that Christianity had done 
more for the world than anything else, and could do more 
for me." " A note written me by a friend during some 



122 IVafs and Means. 

revival meetings." "A personal appeal by a lady." 
"Revival-meetings a few years ago." "A narrow escape 
in a railroad accident where some were killed and many 
wounded." "I was brought up in a Christian home, but 
felt a lack of something which others enjoyed, and which 
I wanted," "During a severe storm I took refuge in a 
cellar, and there began the serious thoughts which decided 
me to be a Christian." " I heard a man speak in a meet- 
ing, and he seemed so full of the love of Christ that I 
wanted to enjoy it too." "Thoughts during a severe sick- 
ness." " Sunday School teacher's instruction." " Prayers 
that I heard in a prayer-meeting." " My father and 
mother." " My Christian parents' instruction." " The 
thought that Christ died for me." "The influence of the 
Y. M. C. A. here." "These Y. P. S. C. E. meetings." 
" Some of my young companions who had found Christ." 
Several said that they could not tell just how or when, but 
they knew that they loved Christ and wanted to serve 
Him. Many spoke of impressions deepened in these Y. 
P. S. C. E. meetings. 

After this the roll was called, and then a collection 
taken up for religious work. Then a report from each of 
the committees. 

These exercises were interspersed with appropriate 
hymns, some with and some without being announced. 

An hour was all too short for this meeting. 

It was led by the pastor, who takes it in turn as one of 
the active members. 

DOES AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN NEED THE CONSE- 
CRATION-MEETING 

"I have consecrated myself once, why should I do it 
over and over again, at every monthly consecration-meet- 
ing.^" some have reasoned. "It seems like weakening a 
vow to repeat it every month. Since I have given myself 



Waj/s and Means, 123 

once completely I have nothing left to give." But we 
think this is mistaken reasoning, arising from a misappre- 
hension of the spirit of the service. The consecration- 
meeting does not imply that one has never yielded himself 
to God, but rather the contrary. It is a service especially 
for Christians, for those who have consecrated themselves 
before. It is a renewal of vows before made. Just as an 
affectionate child might say twenty times a week, " I love 
you, mother; I want to obey you better and help you 
more." So the disciple that lives nearest to his lord is 
most often impelled to cry, 

"^Take my life and let it be 
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee." 

Surely, none of our readers have reached that plane where 
they think that they no longer need to renew their vows of 
allegiance and loyalty. If so, they have got beyond David 
and John and Peter and Paul. In fact, they have reached 
the point where a prayerful consideration of i Cor. x : 1 2 
seems especially needed. 

THE PERSONAL ELEMENT IN THE CONSECRATION- 
MEETING. 

BY MRS. W. W. DUMM. 

Nature revels in diversity and this gives her delightful 
mystery. Everything has a character of its own. This 
same principle of diversity is shown on a nobler scale in 
man. "It takes all sorts of people to make a world," is a 
saying as true as trite. Christ recognized this law of per- 
sonality in His dealings with men. He taught all His 
disciples to follow Him ; that was the grand aim, yet 
taught in such a way that the' personality of each was 
developed. Divine appreciation and sympathy helped 
each to become his best possible self. 

"But" says one, "what is the difference between a 



124 Waj/s and Means. 

consecration-meeting and the regular one? Is not conse- 
cration implied in all prayer- meeting effort?" In a sense, 
yes. You gain wisdom from the thought and spirit of a 
regular meeting, but you do not get the inspiration which 
comes from seeing into somebody's heart. Oliver Wendell 
Holmes says that the human heart has two doors — a front 
door and a side door. The front door is on the street. 
The side door opens at once into the sacred chamber, life's 
temple and shrine. The regular meeting is the front door, 
where all are welcome. The consecration-meeting is the 
side door, which leads into the audience-chamber of the 
King Himself. 

How does personality show itself in the consecration- 
meeting ? 

Firsts by testimony of experience. All religious experi- 
ence which amounts to anything means more than an 
isolated hour of exalted feeling now and then. It goes 
deep down and takes hold of life, and is woven into its 
warp and woof. Testimony is worth what the person back 
of it is worth, and we instinctively recognize it as he 
speaks. His personality flashes across to us, and the vital 
touch stirs our footsteps to a livelier gait Zionward. It is 
not " wit, wisdom, words, worth or eloquence of speech," 
that makes a bit of your heart-life helpful; it is the sincer- 
ity of the heart itself, which can never fail to touch others, 
however faultily expressed. The varied experiences are a 
guide, a warning and an inspiration for the coming month. 

Secondly, it is consecration. Some young Christians give 
themselves to God at conversion ; it is a real giving, but 
settled, signed and ended there. Afterward they develop; 
perhaps it is the gift of music, or the advantages of wider 
reading, or growing public ability. Every month marks an 
advance in their developed power, but the consecration 
remains at a standstill. Enoch walked with God; he did 
not start and stop, becoming a spiritual obelisk. No, he 
walked with God, with the light step of youth, with the 



IVaj/s and Means. 125 

strong step of manhood, with the step of age, until "he 
was not, for God took him." 

Could better epitaph be written? 

Our Friend, our Brother, and our Lord, 

What may thy service be ? 
Nor name, nor form, nor ritual word, 

But simply following Thee. 

THE CONSECRATION-MEETING. 

BY PROF. AMOS R. WELLS. 

The goal of all right striving in this world, the goal on 
the way to which all other good goals lie, is consecration 
to God's service. Therefore the consecration-meeting is 
the strictest measure of the success of our societies. I 
want to point out the way toward a successful consecration- 
meeting. It is often as important to know what roads will 
not lead to a place as to know the right road. There are 

THREE ALLURING BLIND ALLEYS 

which promise success in this matter, yet bring a society 
flatly up against blank failure. 

One is reliance upon numbers. Numbers are often a 
calamity. The larger your attendance, so much the worse 
for the meeting, if the enthusiasm will not go around. I 
have seen what promised to be good meetings smothered 
under numbers, like a bonfire under too liberal additions 
of fuel. Let us pray for our scJcieties that they grow in 
numbers no faster than they grow in grace. In our 
Endeavor work numbers follow success; they never pre- 
cede it. 

A second blind alley is undue reliance upon methods. 
All ways are fair which are thoroughfares to the goal ; no 
method is a means. . 

The third blind alley is reliance upon eloquence and 
readiness of speech. Have any of us ever congratulated 



126 Waj/s and Means. 

ourselves on a good consecration-meeting, wherein only 
the tongue was consecrated ? Success will not come to 
our consecrat'ion-meetings because invited by an eloquent 
orator, who presents a petition of sixty names, and spreads 
a velvet carpet along the way. 

Why, what does consecration mean ? It is devoting 
from a common to a sacred use. All the body and all its 
work transformed into something buoyant and strong, all 
the commonplaces of this common earth made sacred and 
touched with divinity — that is consecration. And do you 
wonder that I hold the one success of a consecration- 
meeting to be in this spread of a spirit of consecration 
through it ? Once this spirit is abroad in men's hearts, it 
finds its own methods, it brings its own great eloquence, it 
gathers its multitudes. 

If a consecration-meeting is to promote consecration, 
the work of the members in regard to it must be in three 
directions — 

EXAMINATION, APPLICATION AND SUPPLICATION. 

Examination must show us what parts of our being are 
still put to common uses. Few matters of our living are 
studied so poorly as the living itself. This should be our 
preparation for the consecration-meeting — the discovery, 
in some one particular direction, of the need of consecra- 
tion. And the second point is application to our need of 
all the words and influences of the hour. If we grieved 
over each meeting as a personal failure, unless it showed 
us some one lack of ours, and helped us in some definite 
way in regard to that lack, few such nights would fail to 
leave a blessing with us. But there is also no consecration 
without supplication — without the upward look to the 
Consecrated One, the Christ. Consecration to God means 
consecration to all the universe, and one of its very first 
and most logical evidences is thought for another's welfare. 
So that all this that we should do for ourselves in our 



Waj/s and Means. 127 

consecration-meeting must be done at the same time for 
some one else. 

How shall we know when honest, humble self-examina- 
tion and faithful reception of all help that comes, and 
earnest prayer are doing their work, are lifting us into the 
higher life ? Well, consecration is a process of crystalliza- 
tion. The common carbon, graphite, is dingy, soft, inco- 
herent; but the crystal, the diamond, has marvellously 
won hardness, firmness and brilliancy. And so we 
Endeavorers may glory in the achievement of consecration, 
in proportion as our incoherent infirmities of will have 
crystallized into the regular facets of a God-directed pur- 
pose; in proportion as our soft and crumbling fear has 
grown firm with a divine confidence ; in proportion as our 
dullness and dingy gloom has become radiant with 
heaven's own happiness. Now man has made the dia- 
mond ; but the man-made diamond is a puny affair, and so 
is a merely human consecration. We may try to crys- 
tallize it from the clearest mental solution ; we may lay our 
shrewd plots to intercept the swift crystal in its chemical 
interchanges ; we may try to form the precious gem by 
force of fire and pressure; our consecration-crystallizing 
comes not by brain or craft or energy. God has a labora- 
tory above our own ; there comes no spiritual power but 
from without, above. And, therefore, only as we earnestly 
strive after the power and presence of the Consecrated 
One, the Christ, will our meetings become consecration- 
meetings indeed. 

HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE CONSECRATION 
SERVICE. 

BY REV. H. W. POPE. 

It is a good plan to open it, occasionally, with a moment 
of silent prayer, to be followed by the leader ; and, by the 
way, it always seems more impressive if the leader kneels. 



128 Waj/s and Means. 

We are not likely to over-do the matter of reverence, and 
perhaps it is just as well to make this service a little differ- 
ent from the ordinary meeting. Let careful preparation 
be made for this service, and special prayer be offered for 
the weaker members, that they may be led to take an 
advance step. Then let the stronger members be on hand 
early, and take the more timid ones up into the " area of 
higher pressure," and sit by their side. Seated there, 
where the spiritual currents are strong, and the atmos- 
phere surcharged with the spirit of devotion, many a timid 
brother or sister will gain courage to pray or say a word 
for the Master. 

"These are little things," you say. Yes, but souls are 
lost and won by little things, and let us never forget that 
great spiritual battles are being fought in all these meet- 
ings. "And all this takes time?" Yes, but what is time 
for if not to help one another.? "Bear ye one another's 
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." 

After letters are read from absent members, call upon 
some one to pray for them. At the close of the service 
let the leader inquire, " Does any one know of a brother 
that is sick ? Does any one know of a member that is in 
trouble, or in want, or out of employment!" Strengthen 
the bond of union in every possible way. 

MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE. 

One society that I know of learns a short psalm each 
month, repeating it in concert at each meeting until it is 
well committed, and then taking up another. The recita- 
tion of such choice passages is very impressive, and the 
habit of committing Scripture is an invaluable one. 

THINK ON THESE THINGS. 

Mr. C. H. Yatman, the well-known Y. M. C. A. worker, 
has compiled the following list of subjects for active and 
associate members to think about. 



Ways and Means. 129 

FOR ACTIVE MEMBERS. 

1. What are you ajuember of the society for? 

2. What responsibiUties are on you as a member? 

3. What have you done to meet these responsibilities? 

4. What moral and spiritual disaster your neglect 
entails. 

5. What account will you give of your stewardship ? 

6. What does the Master think of your work in His 
vineyard ? 

7. What will be the finai result at the judgment? 

FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 

1. How quickly our years are slipping by. 

2. How long ago you might have become a Christian. 

3. How these years have been worse than wasted. 

4. How that for lost opportunities you will be judged. 

5. How great is God's mercy to you now. 

6. How soon justice will take mercy's seat. 

7. How awful it is to be forever lost. 

A TESTIMONY RECEIPT. 

BY C. D. S. 

I am one of the Christian Endeavor girls, and having 
just recovered from a severe attack of a disease known to 
Y. P. S. C. E. members, and fearing that some one might 
be coming down with it, I would like to suggest a simple 
remedy which I hope will check it in its first stages. 

There are those who are really conscientious in regard 
to speaking in the prayer-meetings; they fully intend to 
avail themselves of every opportunity for publicly confess- 
ing Christ, yet are kept back by their pride. How sur- 
prising it is that we should ever imagine a company of 
people making it their business to notice all our little 
mistakes ! As if they would treasure up in their minds a 
sHght tremor of the voice, a hesitancy in manner or an 



130 JVaj/s and Means. 

error in grammar made by one timid disciple, when forty 
or fifty testimonies were given during tiie same evening ! 

I saw a definition of baslifulness the other day, stating 
it as " panic-stricken vanity." There may be more truth in 
that than we think. Before going to our Y. P. S. C. E. 
prayer-meetings, I used to say to myself, "Now, this 
evening, I am going to be the first one to speak, and then 
I shall be ready to enjoy the rest of the service." 

When the time for testimony came, Satan, with all his 
forces, strove to prevent me from taking part. You know 
how I felt, the quick beating of my heart and the imag- 
inary tremble in my voice seemed insurmountable obstacles 
in my way. 

Finally, I would decide that after the one sitting next to 

me, or a friend in the same row, or Miss , on the back 

seat, had spoken, then 1 would speak. 

But affairs did not always turn out as I expected, and I 
kept growing more and more uncomfortable every minute. 
At last the leader of the meeting would say, " We have 
just one minute left for testimonies," then, sometimes, but 
not always, I would jump up suddenly, and say what I had 
not the moral courage or humility to express early in the 
evening. 

I soon found that I was losing all the pleasure and 
profit the meetings afforded, because each moment I kept 
thinking of my present duty, and realized that I was delay- 
ing its performance. 

Finally I confided my trouble to a dear Christian lady, 
asking her if it was necessary for me to always go through 
this same struggle at every meeting. 

After kindly pointing out to me my mistake, she said, 
"Just say to yourself, 'That point, with God's help, is 
settled, now and forever, that whenever an opportunity 
offers, I will testify for my Master,' Then, leave yourself 
in the hands of the Divine Leader, without worrying or 
fearing a failure, and when the time comes, do not stop to 



Ways and Means. 1 3 1 

debate the question a moment, but go forward in the 
strength of the Lord, and Satan will find he has lost your 
case. Are you willing to make the effort ? " 

Now, my dear classmates in Christian Endeavor, let us 
lay aside all these weights, not allowing the enemy a 
chance to defeat us, for the strong hand of our Heavenly 
Conqueror is very near us ; we may clasp it if we will, and, 
cheered on by the voice of the Captain "who never lost a 
battle," we can take our orders from Him, and obey 
promptly, cheerfully, and for Jesus' sake. 



132 Ways and Means. 



PART VII. 

FOR LEADERS OF PRAYER-MEETINGS, 

HINTS TO LEADERS OF PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

A familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

I want to say a few words in this letter to the leaders of 
the prayer-meetings, and as I hope all the members of our 
societies take their turns, when their turn comes, if they 
are asked, this letter applies to all our active members. 

THE FIRST TIME. 

It seems like a good deal of an undertaking, I know, 
when, for the first time, you are called to sit in the leader's 
chair. As you think of it beforehand, you feel that you 
are going to be very conspicuous ; your heart nearly fails 
you (I have in mind the younger and more inexperienced 
now), and you almost resolve that you will go to the 
prayer-meeting committee and beg off. I am quite sure 
you would do this were you thinking only of your own 
pleasure, but then, you remember that your own pleasure 
is, comparatively, a very small consideration in this 
matter; that it is for Christ's sake, and "in His name," 
that you make this attempt. At once the matter assumes 
a new aspect, and you have no further hesitation. 

GETTING READY. 

Then, as the time for "your meeting" draws nigh, you 
begin to think of the subject, and read the Scripture 
lessons that bear on it, and, if you have the uniform 
topics, you carefully read the published notes, and are 
surprised, perhaps, to find that you really have a good deal 
to say. At length that special evening to which you have 
been looking forward so many weeks comes, and from 



IVays and Means. 133 

your knees, with a heart full of desire for God's blessing, 
you go to the prayer-room. But, somehow, the good 
things you thought of saying have vanished, your voice 
almost fails, you say scarcely anything you meant to say, 
and a good many things you never meant to utter, and, on 
the whole, you feel, perhaps, that your part was a miser- 
able failure. 

NOT A FAILURE, AFTER ALL. 

I have no idea that it was a failure, however, by any 
means, and have very little doubt that the meeting was a 
much better one than it would have been if you had been 
thoroughly self-possessed and glib, and had gotten off the 
long and elaborate speech that you had thought out. It is 
especially true of a good prayer-meeting that it is not by 
might nor by power (not by eloquence nor loquacity nor 
oratory), but by my spirit, saith the Lord. Just now it 
seems to be the fashion to give advice by means of the 
familiar "don't," so let me suggest 

A FEW PRAYER-MEETING " DON'tS " 

that it would be well for a leader to regard : 

1. Don't read too long a passage of Scripture or too 
many passages. A very few verses are quite enough. If 
you search the concordance through, and read every 
passage that bears on the subject, what will those poor 
boys and girls do who have learned the very same verses ? 
To be sure, they can repeat them after you, but it is much 
better to give them the first chance. I heard of one soci- 
ety, recently, where the leader usually read all the daily 
readings which the papers give us. That, of itself, 
good as the selections are, would be about enough to kill 
the meeting. If the passage on the topic card is a long 
one, read only a part of it, and rely for further Scripture 
recitations upon the members. 

2. Don't take too much time with your opening remarks. 
Remember that in a Christian Endeavor meeting the 
leader is only one of many who are under the same obliga- 



134 Ways and Means. 

tion as he is to take part. The leader who takes fifteen or 
twenty minutes for his opening remarks is surely robbing 
some one else of his time. Ten minutes are usually enough 
for the leader to occupy with hymns, Scripture reading, 
remarks and all the opening exercises. 

3. Don't lose control of the meeting or let it run itself. 
Have an appropriate hymn ready for any emergency; 
introduce some exercise in which all can take part if there 
is any pause, as the repetition of the Lord's Prayer or the 
Twenty-third Psalm. 

4. Don't let the meeting drag tiresomely along after the 
proper time to close has come. It is sure, in such a case, 
to get "frayed out at the ends," as some one has said. 

POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS. 

But a few positive suggestions are worth more than a 
whole column of "don'ts," and I cannot do better than to 
give you the following excellent suggestions to leaders, 
which have been prepared by Rev. E. A. Robinson. 
These have been printed upon a slip, so that they may be 
handed to each leader in that society a day or two before 
the date of his meeting : 

1. Be prompt in opening and closing the meeting. 

2. Try to speak so that all may hear. 

3. Stand, rather than sit, while reading the Scripture 
and offering prayer. 

4. If possible, select hymns that bear on the subject 
of the meeting. 

5. Use only a short Scripture selection (four to six 
verses). 

6. Always announce the subject of the meeting. 

7. Try to add a word of your own to the Scripture 
reading. 

8. Be brief in opening, and when necessary remind 
others that they should be brief also 

9. Always repeat the number of any hymn that is 
called for. 



Waj/ir and Means. 135 

10. Pray for the meeting before you come, and remem- 
ber it in prayer after it is over, tliat the Lord will bless it 
to His glory, and the good of all present. 

It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh 
in you. — Alatt. x : 20. 

My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that 
which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. — 
Is. Iv : 1 1 . 

The leader who follows these suggestions cannot fail to 
do his part well. They are well worth preserving for fre- 
quent reference. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT LEADING A MEETING. 

We know by experience the "chills and fever" feeling 
which steals over many a young disciple, as he wakes in the 
morning and reluctantly confesses to himself, " To-night I 
must lead the meeting." We know how the Bible is 
thumbed for an appropriate passage to read, how the 
papers, editorials, news columns, advertisements and all are 
scanned and squeezed for a unique thought, how books of 
meditation and devotion are searched for poetry, and how, 
as the hour of meeting draws near, the leader grows anxious, 
because he knows not what to do, and nervous because he 
has nothing to say. He dreads — oh, how he dreads that 
meeting! He will rejoice — oh, how he will rejoice when 
it is over ! Accordingly, with nerves unstrung, forebod- 
ings strange, apprehensions gloomy, he takes his place, 
and many a time the meeting responds to his temper — 
" it is twitchy, jerky, intermittent." 

. We have found our way out of such fretful experience, 
and three things have helped us. May we hand them 
over to you in the garb of exhortation f 



136 Ways and Mea7ts, 

First, then, be natural. If you will notice religious 
leaders, you will find that those having the greatest power 
over the audience are the men who in every way seek to 
make the distance between themselves and their audience 
as infinitesimal as possible. They remove the pulpit; 
they cut down the platform; they sit in a common chair; 
they speak a familiar language, rather than a precise one ; 
they are dignified, but theirs is the dignity of friendship, 
and has nothing of the refrigerator chill about it; they 
believe God is honored by distinct utterance, and so they 
always speak to the person in the back seat; if they 
announce a hymn, they indicate so that he can hear whether 
two or four verses are to be sung. Believe me, the neglect 
of a leader to tell not only what to sing, but how much to 
sing, is many a time to the prayer-meeting what the fly is 
to the ointment, the dust to the machinery, or the little 
foxes to the vines. Be natural, then, in manner, in action, 
in speech, for it is thus and not otherwise that the audience 
is put at ease, which is an important requisite to the suc- 
cessful conduct of a meeting. 

But, secondly, do not lead the meeting to death, lead it 
to life. The leader is neither an absolute monarch, nor a 
petty tyrant. It is his mission neither to appropriate the 
meeting nor so to chaperon it that constraint will settle, 
cloud-like, over the assembly, striking the timid dumb, and 
making the ready hesitate. Having put the audience at 
ease by being yourself natural, the next thing is to put the 
audience at work, to help everybody to feel not alone a 
pressing responsibility, but also a gracious privilege. Call 
for hymns and passages of Scripture from the floor; break 
up monotony by the use of a simple illustration ; encourage 
the worshipers to a free expression of prayer, of exhorta- 
tion. Do not be afraid of bad grammar; it is better, far 
better, than no grammar, and not seldom is it the coarse 
home-spun of some glittering gospel truth. After opening 
the meeting, the leader should be like a life-preserver — to 



IVaj/s and Means. 137 

be used only in an emergency. So far as possible, let the 
meeting lead itself, for this is the way of life. 

But, third, select a simple subject, and say a few simple 
things about It. Take your subject from your experience, 
speak from your experience. He does not most edify and 
help his fellow-Christians who indulges in word-pictures, 
and splits hairs, and chops logic. Nay, nay. It is he 
whose simple recital of a personal experience of joy or 
sorrow, of temptation or victory, quivers with heart-throbs, 
and reveals a heart humbly devoted to Christ, and a 
desire honestly felt for his fellowmen — it is he who speaks 
to edification. The old, old story is, after all, the sweetest, 
freshest, gladdest which ever has been, which ever can 
be made subject of a prayer-meeting. Tell it simply, 
sincerely, succinctly ; people are longing to hear it, and go 
away from the meeting you lead disappointed if you do not 
tell it to them. Do not shun it because it is simple. It is 
sacred, it is sublime, it is soul-saving. 

PROMPTNESS. 

BY REV. DWIGHT M. PRATT. 

Promptness should be catalogued as one of the Christian 
graces. It is essential to successful Christian life and 
service. It is indispensable in a prayer-meeting. 

I. Promptness in Attendance. We read that Gen. 
Washington never delayed meals for tardy guests, but, on 
their arrival, greeted them without apology, saying, " Gen- 
tlemen, we are punctual here." No better words for a 
motto for the place of prayer than these, " We are punctual 
here." Rarely can a meeting recover from the depressing 
effect of five or ten minutes of interruption by squeaking 
shoes and slamming doors. To proceed under such cir- 
cumstances is time often worse than wasted, for it 
dampens ardor and checks the glow of heart essential to 
spiritual fervor. To find a room packed at the appointed 



138 Waj/s and Means. 

moment with eager, earnest people ready to do their part 
in song or prayer or testimony, or at least in respectful 
listening, is inspiring. The importance of prompt attend- 
ance cannot be overstated. 

2. Promptness in Beginning. The Apostle Paul 
termed the Christian a soldier. The soldier on duty is a 
model of prompt, energetic action. No delay is pardoned. 
Every man must be in his place on the instant. The 
precision of a company on drill, the obedience, the self- 
discipline required, the ardor, awaken in the beholder a 
kindred enthusiasm. He would like to be a soldier him- 
self, and share in the energy of such an heroic life. A 
similar disciphne is necessary to the soldier of the cross. 
He has made a long stride in Christian attainment when 
he has learned to be on time at every call of duty. In one 
sense the prayer-meeting is the place of drill. It is at 
least a place for spiritual exercise. Here the Christian 
uses and develops his spiritual powers to the glory of God. 
The service should consequently begin with a promptness 
and vigor indicative of consecration and readiness for 
service. To a looker-on such punctuality and ardor prove 
that the disciples of Christ love and rejoice in the place of 
prayer. 

3. Promptness in Taking Part. The room may be 
filled at the appointed hour, the leader in his place and 
ready to begin at the last stroke of the bell, the opening 
services may be all that could be desired; yet all this is of 
little avail in a social meeting without the prompt co-opera- 
tion of those present. In a company of mature saints 
pauses might be spiritually refreshing, but taking human 
nature as it runs in an average prayer-meeting, delay in 
prayer or testimony argues spiritual coldness. "Waiting for 
others has killed many a prayer-meeting, and quenched the 
first spark of life in many a trembling, hoping, aspiring 
soul. True consecration includes a sense of personal 
responsibility and a spirit of independence. Should each 



Wajfs and Means. 139 

Christian bear the social meeting on his heart, plan for its 
efficiency, and come prepared to lead off in prayer, testi- 
mony or song, it would revolutionize the average prayer 
service. The impression would be made that Christians 
were so fervent, so alive they could not refrain from utter- 
ance. Such a spirit is contagious. It quickens cold- 
hearted disciples. It wins unbelievers. It honors the 
Master. We are speaking of soul enthusiasm, not of sur- 
face activity. Christ will impart to the eager disciple His 
own zeal. His word, as in the case of Jeremiah, will be 
like a burning fire in his bones, so that he cannot forbear. 
Love for the Lord Jesus Christ begets independence, man- 
liness and strength. Waiting for others to first act results 
often from a feeling of inferiority, or, at least, of inability. 
We argue that they are more qualified for utterance or 
service. This is a snare of the devil. Such reflections 
have no place in a consecrated Christian. All God asks 
of us is prompt fidelity. He is no respecter of persons. 
He only requires the service for which He has endowed us. 
But He does require this. It should be rendered joyfully 
and promptly by every Christian. What is true of the 
prayer-meeting is true of every department of life. Prompt- 
ness renders service acceptable. As the parent chides the 
tardy and unwilling child, so God cannot delight in us, 
unless our obedience is hearty, joyful, immediate. 

Promptness, let us repeat again, is one of the eminent 
Christian graces. To secure it would remedy nearly all 
the evils that confront us in our efforts to serve and honor 
Christ our redeemer. 



140 Ways and Means, 



PART VIII. 

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. 

THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS- 

A familiar letter by the President of the United Society. 

I have long wished to write to the officers of our soci- 
eties, for I believe that great possibilities of usefulness lie 
in every one of these offices. Much depends upon the 
spirit with which their duties are undertaken. It goes 
without saying that there are no offices in our societies to 
be striven for or desired for any honor that attaches to 
them, but yet every one, however humble, should be con- 
sidered a position of trust and responsibility which cannot 
be declined except for the most weighty reasons. If 
President Harrison, and the Earl of Shaftsbury and Senator 
Frelinghuysen considered it an honor and a privilege to 
be Sunday School teachers, surely there is no office or 
committee in our societies which we may not aspire to 
honorably fill if it comes to us unsought. 

I am glad to say that I have heard of no trouble in our 
societies arising from the distribution of the offices, but it 
may not be out of place to read before each semi-annual 
election of officers, as some societies do, the clause which 
is found in many constitutions, and which seems to me to 
place this matter in its true light. It reads as follows : 

" While membership on the Board of Officers or Com- 
mittees of this Society should be distributed as evenly as 
the best good of the Society will warrant, among the differ- 
ent members, the offices should not be considered places 
of honor to be striven for, but simply opportunities for 
increased usefulness, and any ill-feeling or jealousy spring- 



Waj/s and Means. 14 1 

ing from this cause shall be deemed unworthy a member 
of the Society of Christian Endeavor. When, however, 
a member has been fairly elected, it is expected that he 
will consider his office a sacred trust, to be conscientiously 
accepted, and never to be declined except for most urgent 
and valid reasons." 

THE PRESIDENT. 

But I will suppose that the officers have been elected. 
In many societies a new set has just been chosen. The 
first one whom we naturally think of is the President. 
Some of his duties are very plain; to preside at the 
monthly business-meeting and to see that necessary busi- 
ness is transacted, is obviously his duty, but there are 
other matters equally important which come within his 
province. A general insight and supervision ot the soci- 
ety falls to his share. Are there as many committees at 
work in the society as there ought to be .'' Are they doing 
their work conscientiously? Do they make monthly 
reports concerning what they have done.? Perhaps there 
is some committee that for months has done little or 
nothing. That should be looked into and remedied. Do 
unruly boys disturb the back seats ? Have the members 
an unfortunate practice of being habitually behind time? 
Is there unbecoming, boisterous conduct after or before 
the meeting? For all these things the president should be 
on the watch. 

OTHER DUTIES. 

Perhaps he sees that some members are withdrawing 
into the background, losing their interest or giving place 
too much to those of more energetic, active temperaments. 
There is a chance for him to exert all his tact and skill, 
and, either personally or through some one else, win them 
back to more earnest endeavor. He should call an 
occasional meeting of all the committees, and at least a 
monthly meeting of his cabinet, the executive committee. 
He should be a man of power, but not a one-man power. 



142 Waj/s and Means. 

He should remember that it is far better to get ten men to 
do ten men's work than to do ten men's work himself. 
Of course, when I use the masculine pronoun it is under- 
stood that it is only for convenience. The young lady 
president may be just as effective. I am not 'presumptu- 
ous enough to offer this advice to the pastors when they 
chance to be presidents ; they will doubtless know what is 
best to be done, and I think that usually, after the soci- 
ety is fairly started, they will put the labor and responsi- 
bility of the presidency upon one of the young men or 
young women of the church. 

THE VICE-PRESIDENT. 

The vice-president has been sometimes thought to be a 
supernumerary, a kind of fifth wheel, but I think this office 
should be regarded in anything but this light. In the 
first place, it is very necessary to have some one to take 
the president's place in case he should be necessarily 
absent ; and in the second place, if all the duties which I 
have indicated belong to the chief executive, there is 
abundant labor for two earnest workers. Let the president 
and vice-president frequently consult together; let them 
divide the duties of supervision, always, of course, under 
the direction of the president, for some one must be at the 
head, and, if the work is faithfully done, the vice-president 
will find no lack of opportunities. 

THE RECORDING SECRETARY. 

The ordinary duties of keeping correct minutes and 
accurate lists of the active and associate members, with 
additions, absentees, etc., are readily understood ; but 
to do this in the best way requires some little conscientious 
effort. One duty of the recording secretary is usually to 
call the roll at the consecration-meeting. This should be 
done quietly, distinctly and accurately. Do not boggle 
over the names and raise a titter of laughter by any absurd 
mistake. Let it be a solemn and most earnest service, 
always preceded by earnest prayer. 



Waj/s and Means. 143 

THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. 

The corresponding secretary should be a permanent 
officer. Please notice the emphatic small caps. We do 
not indulge very much in italics or capitals for emphasis in 
Ways and Mea?is, but I should like to put the above word 
in still larger capitals. Do not change the corresponding 
secretary every six months or every year. Instead of "life 
or good behavior," according to civil service principles, 
I would say let the corresponding secretary remain in 
office as long as connected with the society — the good 
behavior is taken for granted. His duties are to receive 
and respond to legitimate communications which come to 
the society. He is under no obligation to respond to the 
scores of people who may wish to use the societies for 
advertising purposes or to sell their wares, and I would 
advise him to disregard all appeals, chain-letters, etc., from 
irresponsible parties who wish to raise money. Money 
should be given only through accredited channels, which 
are known to be reliable, like the great missionary soci- 
eties of the denomination with which each church is con- 
nected. However, frequent letters of invitation are 
received, letters of inquiry, too, as to methods, etc., which 
may well receive his courteous attention. 
important duties. 

An important part of his work is to fill out the yearly 
statistical blanks for which the United Society asks in prep- 
aration for the annual convention, as well as a similar 
request from the State officers, though I hope these 
requests will not be multiplied. To fill out this annual 
blank will take but a few minutes, but it should be done 
promptly and accurately. The corresponding secretary, in 
responding to all legitimate calls upon his time, should 
remember that he is the only link that connects the soci- 
eties to each other, and through which the methods of 
work found useful in one society can be made known to 
another. 



144 IVaj/s and Means. 

THE TREASURER. 

This letter is already too long, but I must say a word 
about the treasurer. His duties, of course, are to receive, 
keep safely and disburse, as the society may direct, the 
funds which come into his hands. I think he may wisely 
exercise his ingenuity in devising the best way for his 
society to raise funds for missionary work. A very few 
dollars are needed by any society for itself, but much can 
often be done for the cause of Christ at large, I would 
earnestly recommend the weekly or monthly envelope 
pledge plan as incomparably the best method of raising 
money for all purposes. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

A TALK WITH SOME OF THE COMMITTEES. 

BY REV. JAMES L. HILL. 

So definite is my wish to make these few remarks per- 
sonal and informal, that I will imagine, not a difficult or 
unpleasant thing to do, that we are gathered together, offi- 
cers and committees only, at the parsonage ; that we have 
partaken, in goodly fellowship, of our simple refreshment; 
that presently the prayer-meeting committee is to hold a 
conference by itself in the parlor, the lookout committee in 
the sitting-room, the social committee in the dining-room, 
and the fruit and flower committee in the study. Re- 
specting the whole society, let us first see distinctly that 
it will not do to stop growing. When we cease to make 
new wood, decay and disintegration begin. So enormous is 
our outgo of young people to attend school and enter bus- 
iness that we must look right after our income. Let us 
grasp the idea that the first condition of growth and 
revival is a spirit of expectation. Anticipations, like 
prophecies, always tend to fulfill themselves. When hope 
dies we are twice dead; when a society expects little it 



Waj/s and Means. 145 

will not be called to enjoy much. Before Christ comes, as 
was true historically, there is wide-spread eagerness; "for 
we are saved by hope." A society that is not looking for 
improvement in numbers and condition grievously needs 
mental and spiritual quickening. Let us, too, keep in 
vivid remembrance the fact that the moments immediately 
succeeding the meeting are priceless. Resolve, in advance, 
just how you will use them. Let the president run and 
speak to this young man. Be near the associate member 
who is signing himself as active. If you can honestly do 
so, speak of your pleasure in hearing those who were cour- 
ageous in doing their duty. When societies meet Sunday 
night, let us also see that in meeting our friends we are so 
subdued in tone of voice as not to be observed by the con- 
gregation that is gathering for the second service. But 
chiefly let us regard this : It is possible to name a theme 
for a meeting and to have the meeting proceed almost 
automatically, when there is a large active membership 
that keeps the pledge. At times we need to break right 
through and over all routine and come close to God. We 
will then, perhaps, divide the time, as some societies do, 
giving the first half to earnest, continuous, brief supplica- 
tions for a deeper consecration. The equipoise between 
testimony and prayer cannot be disturbed with impunity. 
This matter affects the subsequent portion of the service. 
Scripture verses, and contributions of sacred sentiment 
begin to carry a greater amount of spirituality. 

Now, before we separate into these several rooms 
already designated, where the pastor and the president of 
the society will call you, let me say specifically to the 

PRAYER-MEETING COMMITTEE 

that you will find nothing else so fruitful as personal work. 
Arrange our jnembership in divisions. Each of you in a 
quiet way shepherd one division. If any one is growing 
cold-hearted and disposed to shirk his duty, give the mat- 
ter serious thought as to what shall be done. Have you 



146 Ways and Means. 

not noticed that our meetings are a little uneven ? Is 
there not all the while a steady factor? When some of 
our young friends are leading, let us call our reserves 
right out. And we are not without them. Of each of you 
divine glory can "make a pillar in the temple of God." 
No\v, let me turn and say to the 

SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 

that I appreciate your difficulties. People are sated with 
entertainments. It is harder to provide for social life now 
than it was when Dr. Holland and Wendell Phillips began 
to lecture, and all these bureaus of entertainment to send 
forth singers in troops. Social conditions have been revo- 
lutionized within a generation. Notwithstanding your 
difficulties, you have your duty. We must connect the 
social life of the young with the church. Blessed are 
those young disciples that dwell in God's house. We 
must be able to say that they saw God and ate and drank. 
We must impart a sacredness to the whole life. I would 
fish in deeper water. I would give over the spirit of com- 
petition. This year I hasten to recommend that you 
entertain at a festival all the officers and committees of 
the various auxiliaries of our church. Have five-minute 
addresses from those chosen to speak ; for the ladies, for 
the congregation, for the Sunday School and for the local 
union. Sit at the tables while these addresses are being 
made. It will blend the society and church; and each 
will better understand the other. 

TO THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE 

I want to express my pleasure in their frequent meetings. 
If the society is prosperous, they have much to do ; and if 
it is not, they have more. It is a pretty good rule for this 
committee to discard any method of work if it is easy. 
Another principle of human nature than that of thrift 
probably suggests it. In bringing new members into the 
society, it is a good rule to call upon them in their homes 
respecting the matter. This locates them and recognizes 



IVcjj's and Means. 147 

them, and begins official acquaintance. Here is the stan- 
dard for the lookout committee : Can we sincerely say of 
our society that all we ask for it is more of the soul? If 
not, awake, lookout committee, awake, awake. 
Finally, I wish it could be made as plain to the 

FLOWER COMMITTEE 

as it is to me, that much of their efficiency consists in 
promptness. A remembrance sent from church to persons 
detained by accident or otherwise from Sunday worship 
gains power if it is sent at once. If it is delayed until 
one has dragged through an illness and is on the point of 
returning to church, it is mockery. If some of the com- 
mittee are about the vestry before all services to hear of 
cases of trouble and affliction, and if the congregation is 
publicly invited to communicate names to the committee, 
it will be well. This committee ought to act as intermedi- 
ary between the sick and larger sources of supply than the 
vases at the pulpit on the Sabbath day. Such sources exist 
in most congregations. If in doing their work promptly 
bouquets should be sent, by mistake, to those detained 
not only on beds of sickness, but on lounging-chairs of 
wellness, the committee's work would be suggestive — 
you thought they were sick. They acted as if they were. 

Service upon committees is not drudgery; it is oppor- 
tunity. It would be no kindness to do the work for you. 
Field is needed for your ingenuity, tact and personality. 
No matter how ingenious and capable any individual mem- 
ber may be, it is good both for him and for the others, 
that he should act largely in conjunction with the other 
members of the committee. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE COM-, 
MITTEES. 

Question. When I ask for a report from lookout or 
prayer-meeting committee, the answer generally is, "What 



148 Waj/s and Means. 

c m we report ? " Ours is a small society in a small place, 
and so the names of leaders, etc., are usually remembered. 
I thought I would ask if you would print a report of a 
lookout and prayer-meeting committee that has actually 
been used. Perhaps it may suggest a new line of work 
for us. 

Ans. The mistake is often made, and perhaps our 
correspondent who asks the above question shares it, of 
expecting a novel and unusual report each month from the 
committees, and when this cannot be given, as from the 
very nature of things it often cannot, the committees feel 
absolved from making any report. This is an entirely 
false conception. The object of the report is to show that 
the committee have done what they could; that they have 
not been idle. Such a report is always a stimulus to 
those who hear it and to the committee that make it. If 
they have done very little, let them report that little. If 
they have done absolutely nothing, let them report that 
with contrition, and resolve to do better; but on no 
account let the written report, which is to be filed by the 
secretary and kept, be omitted. Very often this report 
gives the various committees opportunity to offer a needed 
exhortation to greater faithfulness. We hope that every 
society that has not adopted this system of monthly written 
reports will do so at once. In accordance with the sug- 
gestion of our correspondent, we shall be glad to publish 
one or two actual reports that have been given, as a help 
to others. 

Ques. What is your opinion as regards the propriety 
and advisability of holding Y. P. S. C. E. committee meet- 
ings on Sunday afternoon ? 

Ans. It depends altogether upon the object of the 
committee meeting. If it is simply to consult concerning 
some phase of the spiritual interests of the society, we see 
no objection. 

Qices. Is it best to re-elect a president for two or three 



JVaj/s and Means. 149 

successive terms, and is it advisable to re-appoint com- 
mittees instead of appointing new ones to serve on the 
committees ? 

A7ts. Only in exceptional cases, when it is manifestly 
for the advantage of the society to continue the same offi- 
cers, is it best to re-elect them. Always choose some new 
members on the committees. 

Ques. Should the substance of the reports of commit- 
tees be placed on record in thq secretary's book, that is, as 
a part of the regular proceedings ? 

Ajis. The reports need not be copied in the secretary's 
book, but should be placed on file. 

Qiies, Should the lookout committee interview all 
absentees from regular meetings or simply from the conse- 
cration meetings ? In a reorganized society, will it be 
wiser for the lookout committee to interview all who are 
silent at the regular meetings, or simply at the consecra- 
tion meetings ? 

Ans. These two questions are essentially one. Wis- 
dom and common-sense as well as faithfulness should be 
exercised, of course, in regard to all such matters, and the 
interview of the lookout committee should take place 
whenever it will do the most good. The consecration and 
roll-call meeting gives the best opportunity to show who is 
absent without excuse, but if an active member is habit- 
ually absent from or silent in the regular meetings he 
should be reminded of his duty. While the lookout com- 
mittee should avoid anything that looks like officiousness, 
its great danger is that it will not be sufficiently prompt 
and faithful. Anything that begins to look like habitual 
or wilful absence or silence should be looked after. The 
committee is elected by the society for this purpose, 
and surely cannot be blamed for simply doing its 
duty. 

Qties. Should the president of a society be present at 
the meetings of the different committees .'' 



150 Ways' and' Means, 

Ans. It would be a good plan for him to be present if 
possible. 

Ques. Do you consider it necessary or expedient to 
require that the president of a Young People's Christian 
Endeavor Society shall be a member of the church ? 

Ans. By all means, the president of the society should 
be a member of the church. There may be good reasons 
why one of the younger members cannot be a member of 
the church for a tbne, but the president of the society, 
being a prominent and conspicuous member, and usually 
one of the older ones, should set to all the good example 
of church-membership. 



Waj/s and Means. 151 



PART IX. 

" THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE. 

THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE AND ITS WORK. 

A Familiar letter from the President of the United Society. 

TO THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE. 

It is about time, I think, that some of the accumulated 
good things which I have been treasuring up for a long 
time should be handed over to you. In this part of the 
book you will find some of them, though the work of the 
lookout committee is such a prolific subject that I shall 
not be able to crowd into one issue half the matter that is 
waiting its turn. 

I am often asked which is the most important commit- 
tee connected with our society. Comparisons are said to 
be odious, and where each committee is of vital import- 
tance in its own sphere, there is no need of instituting 
comparisons, but I think if I must give up any committee, 
the last one I would want to part with would be the look- 
out committee. It is more unique and peculiar to the 
Christian Endeavor Society than any other. It affords an 
unrivalled opportunity to do good, and that is the standard 
value in all the committees. 

There is a chance if you are on this committee to exer- 
cise all your zeal and wisdom and piety and sanctified 
sense. Faithful and efficient as are many of our Lookout 
Committees, we have not begun to exhaust the possibilities 
which they contain for helping the society and aiding the 
pastor and blessing the church. Let me divide what I 
have to say under four short heads. What you can do for 
the church, for the society as a whole, for the active mem- 



152 Waj/s and Means. 

bers, for the associate members. A minister always feels 
more comfortable, you know, when he gets his sermon well 
divided up into firstly, secondly, thirdly, fourthly. First, 

FOR THE CHURCH. 

I will leave this part of your work for you to settle with 
your own pastor. He is the best adviser. But be sure 
and lay the matter before him and ask him what he wishes 
you to do for the church. The very asking of this ques- 
tion and offering of this service in themselves are acts of 
no small consequence. At the beginning of my pastorate, 
I remember that two or three young ladies came to me at 
the close of one of the first prayer-meetings (it was before 
a Christian Endeavor Society had been established) and 
said, "What can we do to help you, Mr. Clark? Please 
let us know, and remember that we are always ready to do 
what we can for the church and its pastor." That simple 
assurance gave me new courage for months to come. I 
may safely leave this division of this little sermon for you 
and your pastor to subdivide and illustrate, and to add the 
improvements. If I know anything about your pastor he 
will give you plenty to do if you cordially offer your 
services. 

FOR THE SOCIETY. 

To the Society, as a whole, the lookout committee 
holds a very important relation. What the "standing 
committee" is to the church, what the governor's council is 
to the State, what the president's cabinet is to the nation, 
such, to some extent, is the lookout committee to the 
society. This committee is the door through which the 
new members enter in. What the society shall be, 
whether careless and inefficient, or faithful, earnest and 
zealous, will depend largely upon this committee. If the 
door is opened too wide, so that all who wish come in to 
the active membership, whether they are earnest Chris- 
tians or not, the society degenerates swiftly and surely. 
If, in your term of office, you admit some unfaithful mem- 



Wajs and Means. 153 

bers, you will do the society an injury which half a score 
of future committees may not be able to remedy. Of 
course you cannot ensure complete faithfulness, and the 
highest style of Christian character on the part of every 
one who joins the society, but it is your duty to make sure 
that every applicant knows what he is doing, that he has 
seen the constitution, that he understands the pledge, and 
that you have his promise, with the help of God, to live up 
to it. 

TO THE ACTIVE MEMBERS. 

Here your work intermingles with the labors of some 
other committees, like the prayer-meeting, the calling 
committee, etc., and yet it is quite distinct. You should 
know who among the active members are habitually absent 
from the meetings ; you should find out who, if any, are 
negligent to their vows; you should take the names of 
those who do not respond to the roll at the consecration- 
meeting, and look them up at once. Do not wait until 
they have forfeited their membership before calling on 
them, but after the first unexcused absence from a conse- 
cration-meeting call on them, and you may be able to save 
them to the society. Your committee should sit in differ- 
ent parts of the room, if the meeting is a large one, so as 
to have some oversight of all, in a quiet way. A record 
book, which you carry in your pocket, and which will show 
at a glance who are present and who have taken part in 
each meeting, is a valuable help and easily kept, after you 
once get accustomed to it. "But," you say, "I do not 
like to act the part of spy." No one asks you to do this. 
You are simply asked to do the very duties for which you 
were chosen when you were elected upon the lookout com- 
mittee. No one can complain of you for doing your duty. 
If any active members are willfully unfaithful and obdu- 
rate, then let the society drop them after three consecutive 
unexcused absences from the consecration-meeting. You 
do not drop them, they drop themselves by their own 



154 Ways and Means. 

unfaithfulness. The rule is not a hard one. It is a mis- 
taken kindness to the active member to keep him after he 
has violated the pledge ; it is disastrous to the society to 
do this. 

TO THE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 

Your relations to the associate members may be exceed- 
ingly helpful, if you will but make them so. Remember 
that every one of them, and, for that matter, every young 
person in the church and Sunday School is a candidate for 
active membership in the society, and in the church, and 
do not be satisfied until you have done all you can to 
bring this about. Do not be in too much of a hurry to 
bring them into the society as active members until they 
give some good evidence of being active Christians, but, 
on the other hand, do not delay a single week in bringing 
them in after they are willing to say that they will live for 
Christ, and do their duty as active members. To sum it 
all up in a word, your duty is to do all that you can to 
keep the Society active, earnest, efficient, spiritually- 
minded. No slight task, is it? But you can do it 
"through Him who strengtheneth you." 

ANOTHER WAY OF HELPING THE SOCIETY. 

Bringing just as many of your members as possible 
under the stimulating influence of Christian Endeavor con- 
ventions, conferences, union meetings, etc. These meet- 
ings will often do you more good than you imagine, by 
awakening an interest in the whole society, and by stimu- 
lating all to renewed earnestness. A single delegate has 
often brought back enough inspiration from one of our 
great conventions to kindle the enthusiasm of a whole 
society. 

Your committee is such an interesting one and the sub- 
jects it opens are so prolific that the only trouble is to 
know where to stop, but I will let others give you their 
idea of what the lookout committee should be and do. I 
will only add that observation and correspondence lead me 



Waj^s and Means. 155 

to believe that the great majonty of our lookout commit- 
tees are exceedingly earnest and faithful, and to them is 
due no small share of the success of our societies. That 
this may be true of every one is the wish and prayer of 
your friend. 

EYES WIDE OPEN. 

BY REV. W. H. G. TEMPLE. 

Was there ever so perfect an organization as the Y. P. S. 
C. E. ? It is no inanimate piece of machinery.^ It thinks, 
speaks and acts. It watches and works. It is human to 
the core, and there it is divine. The executive committee 
is its brains ; the musical committee, its voice ; the orayer- 
meeting committee, its heart; the social committee, its 
hand-grasp ; the flower committee, its aesthetic faculty ; the 
missionary committee, its pocket; and the lookout com- 
mittee, its eyes. There you have it — a man, redeemed, 
intelligent, cordial, artistic, generous, wide-awake ! And 
as all the other faculties and organs of a man lose some of 
their value when the eyes are dimmed by blindness or 
closed in sleep, so the lookout committee stands first on 
the list. "The light of the body is the eye." The life 
of our society is its watch-tower force. It is a 

LOOK-OUT COMMITTEE. 

It casts its eye over the parish, takes in its boundaries, 
sees "who is who," makes distinctions, searches out those 
who have escaped attention, discovers real merit in young 
manhood and womanhood, and resolves to utilize it. It 
uses pencil and paper freely, makes lists, classifies the per- 
sons tabulated as probably active or associate, thoroughly 
inspects every nook and corner of the special territory 
under its care, and then, proceeding to definite action, 
becomes a 



156 Wajfs and Means. 

LOOK-UP COMMITTEE. 

It follows up every advantage, button-holes people, 
makes personal appeals, extends invitations to each one 
to become a member, tries for a direct committal to Chris- 
tianity first, and then accepts the associate position as a 
temporary compromise ; explains all the glowing features 
of the society, drives home argument with illustration, 
means business in every interview, never gives up, contin- 
ues zealous till its time of service expires, and then hands 
over its unpersuaded list to the succeeding committee. 

It is also a 

LOOK-IN COMMITTEE. 

There are present members in the prayer-meeting to 
greet, there are absent ones to record. After securing 
new members it is just as necessary to follow up their 
attendance. An intermittent society will pulsate a feeble 
life. Punctuality and persistency go hand in hand. 
Here is an opportunity for faithful routine work. But 
suppose members are frequently absent .'' Then they fall 
into the grip of this universal guardian of the society's 
interests, this tiitie under the name of the 

LOOK-AFTER COMMITTEE. 

In this garb it hunts up the delinquents, goes at them 
like a sunbeam, not like a thunder-cloud; smiles but does 
not scold; leads them into friendly conversation, puts on 
no airs, seeks the reasons for irregularity, draws out care- 
fully and ingeniously the excuses, and then becomes a 

LOOK-INTO COMMITTEE 

at once. Advises, helps, encourages, restores. But let 
us return to the prayer-meeting, for this ubiquitous posse 
of workers has assumed the role of a 

LOOK-AROUND COMMITTEE. 

Some have dropped in from curiosity; they must be 
greeted and invited to come again. Some have come 
according to promise; they must be interviewed and their 
opinion secured. Some are strangers in the town ; they 



Waj/s and Means. 157 

must be made to feel at home. Some have gone through 
great sorrow, their attire betokens it, their sad faces pro- 
claim it; they must have a hand-grasp and a word of 
sympathy. In all these duties the eye must never rest. 
Constantly looking, discriminating, selecting, recognizing. 
And then, after all this, what? Time is passing. Is there 
any progress.'^ Have there been any mistakes.? Have 
the past months brought any new feature, any encourag- 
ing fact. Is the church feeling the effect of the new 
spiritual life? Are the objections of the croakers being 
practically answered? Here is the whole field. Is it 
being uniformly cultivated? Has each member of this 
pioneer company been earnest and intelligent in the dis- 
charge of his or her various duties? A glance back, a 
glance forward. So it becomes a 

LOOK-OVER committee! 

Eyes wide open early and late and all the time, this 
band of servants of the Master is truly a Look-out, Look- 
up, Look-in, Look- after, Look-into, Look-around, Look- 
over, but never an Over-look, Committee. 

HINTS FOR THE LOOKOUT COMMITTEE. 

BY REV. J. C. JACKSON. 

1. Hold frequent meetings — certainly not less than 
once a month, when the monthly report is to be made up, 
and just before it is presented. Let the entire situation be 
canvassed at these meetings, and ways and means devised 
for its betterment. 

2. Be all the time on the lookout for new members. 
Explain to young people what the society is and does. 
Get from the church books a complete list of the young 
people of the congregation and Sunday School for material 
upon which to work, and add to it from the outside. Use 
this Ust at every committee- meeting. 

3. Be careful that everybody who comes into the soci- 



158 Waj/s and Means. 

ety fully understands what he undertakes and promises, 
especially regarding the prayer-meeting pledge. Keep all 
supplied with constitutions, and use them. 

4. Adopt a systematic marking plan for all the meet- 
ings of the society. If not for all, then for the consecra- 
tion-meeting. Divide the names of the society among 
the committee ; let each member enter his names in a 
small pass-book, and be responsible for their oversight. 
Mark those absent from the meeting with a small "a", 
those present with a cross, and when a member takes part, 
draw a circle around his name. This marking need not 
necessarily be done openly in the meeting; this would, 
perhaps, look rather too much like compulsion, but let 
each committeeman carry his names in his head during 
the meeting, mark afterward, and deal accordingly. It 
will do no harm if it is generally known that this marking 
system is carried on. Then these books, beside affording 
data for making visits, etc., will be useful in writing up 
the monthly report. 

5. Kindly look at the work of the other committees, 
if occasion demands, and assist them in it. Let it be 
understood that the lookout committee is not meddling 
when it attends to whatever concerns the welfare of the 
society, but only minding its own proper constitutional 
business. 

6. Do not make associate members of church-members 
who are not willing to become active members. Hold a 
prayer-meeting with them instead. Something is the mat- 
ter with them. 

7. Do not make your associate members' list a black- 
list of dead-heads and dead-beats. Everybody on it must 
face inward toward the church. If they insist on facing 
out, walk them out. 

8. Raise money by the envelope system. Do not 
levy a tax, but let all contributions be voluntary. 

. 9. No age limit can be lixed for membership. "It's a 



Ways and Means. 159 

matter of good health. A person with yellow jaundice is 
too old at thirteen." 

10. The lookout committee has been very properly 
called "The Pastor's Cabinet." By meeting with it fre- 
quently, a live pastor can obtain invaluable information, 
not to be had elsewhere, regarding the spiritual standing 
of any one of the young people of his church. By utiliz- 
ing this committee, he can bring forward many a young 
person into a decided Christian life or establish him when 
wandering therein. Let pastors not hesitate to use this 
committee, and let the lookout committee always hold 
itself at the service of the pastor. 

SOMETHING FOR EACH OF US NOW TO DO. 

A HINT FOR THE LOOKOUT AND PRAYER-MEETING COM- 
MITTEES. 

The Y. P. S. C. E. of the " Beth-Eden" Baptist Church, 
Philadelphia, Pa., has recently adopted a method of keep- 
ing its members "up to duty," or, at least, up to the re- 
quirements of the "pledge" taken. The method is found 
to be very practicable, in this society at least. On a spe- 
cial evening of each month the members of the prayer- 
meeting and lookout committees and the chairman of the 
executive committee meet for the purpose of "looking in" 
among its own members, some of whom, at times, may be 
growing delinquent, and are thus failing to let their light 
shine. After a brief review of the past month regarding 
the benevolent and social work undertaken and accom- 
plished, at which point obstacles that may have hindered 
are removed and new work is planned, the actual benefit 
of the weekly prayer-meeting is discussed. Each member 
of the prayer-meeting and lookout committees receives at 
the outset a list of five or six names from the roll of mem- 
bers, whom they pledge themselves to look after, and the 
attendance of every active member at the last consecra- 



l6o Ways and Means. 

tion-meeting and any part taken therein by them is report- 
ed from these lists and thus satisfactorily checked up on 
the schedule. This scrutiny includes, of course, the com- 
mittees whose names head the list, for they believe in 
the maxim, "Physician, Heal Thyself." In this growing 
society, this method is already bringing about satisfactory 
results, and while no idea of compulsion is conveyed or 
felt, each conscientious member believes it to be "a good 
plan." 

SUGGESTION FOR LOOKOUT COMMITTEES. 

Rev. H. W. Pope, of Palmer, Mass., sends us this 
admirable card for use after consecration-meetings : 

Dear Friend : We noticed with regret your absence from our 
last consecration-meeting, especially as no response was given, nor 
reason for absence rendered. 

If, at any time in the future you are obliged to be absent from the 
consecration-meeting, we trust that you will send us a word of greet- 
ing, at least, which is always gladly received, and is also in accordance 
with the rules of our society. 

Fraternally yours. 

The Lookout Committee. 

In many societies the chairman of the lookout commit- 
tee makes a record of the absentees from each meeting 
and sends to the members of his committee a slip of 
paper, with the following printed at the top : 

To The Lookout CoMxMittee: 

The following members of our society were absent from the last 
meeting. Will you please ascertain the reasons for their absence? 
Note them upon the back of this slip and return it to me as soon as 
possible. 

This seems an excellent method, ensuring careful and 
unofficious attention to each delinquent member, and ena- 
bling the chairman to see that the right person is sent at 
the right time to perform this difficult task. 



Ways and Means. l6i 

COVENANT REMINDERS. 

Rev. A. B. Christy, pastor of the College Hill Church, 
of Hudson, O., has prepared for the lookout committee of 
his Y. P. S. C. E. three forms of calling attention to 
absence from the consecration-meeting. All bear the 
clause of the constitution referring to absence from the 
monthly meeting, and all are signed by the chairman of 
the lookout committee. The first bears this message : 

" It is our duty to ask why you were absent unexcused from our last 
consecration-meeting. " 

The second reads : 

" It is our duty to ask why you were absent unexcused from our last 
consecration-meeting. This is your second consecutive absence." 

The third is as follows : 

" We regret that you have been absent from three consecutive con- 
secration-meetings unexcused. We trust that you do not wish to 
leave the society, but have a good excuse." 

These reminders pave the way for the personal inter- 
views with the delinquent members. 



1 62 Waj/s and Means. 



PART X. 



PRAYER-MEETING COMMITTEE. 

HINTS FOR THE PRAYER- MEETING COMMITTEE. 

SIX SUGGESTIONS BY REV. J. C. JACKSON. 

1. Let each member of this committee be ready to 
speak or pray when a pause occurs — to fill any gap. 

2. Pick out texts to read, or appropriate verses of 
poetry, and assign them in advance of the meeting to 
timid members, so that these timid members may have 
something to do. 

3. Privately ask certain ones before the meeting to be 
ready to take part during any pause, or whenever a chance 
is given. Make preparation in advance to keep things 
moving. 

4. Appoint two ushers, or more, to seat strangers and 
new-comers — a sort of " smile-'em-up " committee — to 
show people to the front seats. 

5. Let the leader, or committee, put the subject and 
texts upon a blackboard, so that all can see them at once 
upon entering. 

6. Let the Leader see to it that he is on hand promptly 
to open the meeting at the last stroke of the bell. 

A SUGGESTION BY E. D. WHEELOCK. 

From E. D. Wheelock, of Elkhart, Ind., we have 
received the following suggestion, which we are glad to 
publish for the benefit of those committees to which the 
plan may not already have occurred : 

"You find it difficult to get some of the members of 
your Society to lead a meeting. They are too diffident 
and have never done such a thing. Suppose you appoint 



Wafs and Means. 163 

two leaders for each meeting, and let them arrange the 
meeting atnd the part they are each to take in leading it. 
Put a weak member and one of more strength and confi- 
dence together. The stronger will bear the chief burden, 
and the weaker will not hesitate to read the Scripture or 
to conduct the song service, and the very fact of having 
once been in the leader's chair will make him more ready 
to lead alone when necessary. At least one society has 
tried this plan, and with excellent effect both on the meet- 
ings and the timid members who took the part of assistant 
leaders." 

"GENERAL UTILITY MEN." 

The expression applies most admirably to the members 
of the prayer-meeting committee of a Y. P. S. C. E. in 
Ashaway, R. I. A correspondent has informed us of 
some of the duties devolving on this committee. Each 
member takes his turn in bearing the responsibility of 
the meetings. He sends the notice of the meeting and 
the subject to the pulpit, selects the leader and stands 
ready to take charge of the meeting if the appointed leader 
fails to appear. The members also endeavor to sup- 
press the levity of the "gigglers," by sitting among them, 
on the back seats and in the far-away corners, and by 
showing themselves examples of devout and reverent 
demeanor. Moreover, some of the committee each week 
act as ushers, welcome strangers, etc. And finally, they 
make the meetings the subject of private prayer during the 
week, and consider it their duty to fill awkward pauses in 
the services. Our correspondent concludes her report 
with these words : " Need I say that the bi-monthly 
reports of the committee show a more prayerful spirit in 
the meetings, a greater consecration among the members 
and a deeper conscientiousness in keeping the pledge.-*" 
Truly, such results as these are eloquent tributes to the 



164 Wa^^s and Means. 

faithfulness of any committee, and some of these methods 
might well be adopted by prayer-meeting committees who 
find it hard to report any kind of progress. 



- THE WORK OF THE PRAYER-MEETING COMMITTEE. 

A PAPER READ AT THE CHICAGO CONVENTION, BY M. A. 
HUDSON, OF SYRACUSE, N. Y. 

The "Gospel of Work," or "Good Tidings of Work," 
has come to the young people, and they have come to love 
their prayer-meeting as one of the places in which to do 
their work. This love of the prayer-meeting has largely 
come about by the faithful work of the prayer-meeting 
committee. 

It has justly been said that "the prayer-meeting com- 
mittee is the captain of our companies of Christian 
Endeavor." No campaign can be successful unless there 
be not only the wise and able commander-in-chief, but 
skillful and loyal captains. 

"This committee shall have charge of the weekly prayer- 
meeting, see that a leader and topic are provided for each 
meeting, and shall do what it can to secure faithfulness to 
the prayer-meeting pledge." 

The important work of choosing leaders and topics 
should be the first duty of this committee after it has 
organized, held a short prayer-meeting, and elected a 
secretary. Quite frequently, in choosing leaders, those 
who have never led before should be selected. A com- 
mittee should then visit them, and gain their consent. To 
do this will require tact, but very little difficulty will be 
found, if this committee will assure them of hearty support 
at the meeting they are to lead. Their preference as to 
the date and the topic should be consulted. As for topics, 
there are none better than those issued by She United 
Society, although local needs may occasionally require one 



Waj/s and Means. 165 

of a different character. For instance, to have the meetings 
varied, the music, temperance, or missionary committee 
should be invited to take charge of a meeting, and may 
have a special topic. In some societies, the Bible trainers' 
classes take one evening for a Bible reading. 

After the leaders and topics are arranged, have topic 
cards printed in a neat and attractive manner. 

The topic cards should be placed within easy reach of 
every member of the society, at least one week before the 
first meeting. 

A good plan by which to help and encourage the leader, 
and also to notify him that his time to lead has arrived, is 
to have the chairman of the committee write him a letter a 
week before his meeting, assuring him of the committee's 
prayers and support. Scripture helps upon the topic and 
hymns bearing upon the subject may be given him. He 
should be assured of the prayers and support of the other 
committees. The social committee should be seen and 
asked to provide an usher and singing-books for the 
strangers and new members. The music committee 
should be invited to gather promptly around the organ 
with their leader. A series of short sentence-prayers can 
be arranged for the leader, and several who always wait 
until the last to testify can be invited to be first. 

A list of the active members placed upon two small 
pocket memorandum-books, and left with two members of 
the prayer-meeting committee, is of great service in help- 
ing this committee to '' do what it can to secure faithful- 
ness to the prayer-meeting pledge." These books can be 
quietly marke-d during the meeting, e. g., A for absence. 
No. I for present, and 2 for took part. In this manner a 
record of the faithfulness of each member is placed on file. 

At the close of the month, when the chairman presents 
his written report, he can take the names of those who do 
not attend, and give them to the lookout committee, "that 
ihey may again interest them in the work." 



1 66 Wajys and Means. 

A list of those who have not been faithful to their 
pledge (" to take some part ") should be made, and after 
much prayer, and with the pastor's advice, they should be 
visited, with a view to their future faithfulness. If you are 
successful, encourage them with your sympathy and thanks 
for their faithfulness. 

The leader, after each meeting, should be encouraged 
by some kindly mention of the meeting he has just led. 

The duties of this committee should not end with the 
Endeavor prayer-meeting ; for the regular services of the 
church claim our support. So let us try to induce more 
and more of our society members to attend the church 
prayer-meetings, and let their voices be heard there. 
Several committees have provided subjects for prayer for 
every day in the week; others have provided daily Bible 
readings and Bible trainers' classes. We have come to 
love our prayer-meetings ; let us learn to love our Bibles. 
The class of which I have been a member two and a half 
years has been a source of strength to all the members. 
Children's and cottage prayer-meetings have been held by 
this committee, and have been the means of great good. 
With all our plans, let us not forget the source of all our 
help, and in closing I would urge upon this committee in 
the words of another — "Pray for the meeting. Pray for 
the pastor. Pray for the active and associate members. 
Pray, pray, keep on praying, and God will bless you and 
your meetings." 

MORE HINTS FOR THE PRAYER-MEETING COM- 
MITTEE. 

BY MISS C. A. BARTLETT. 

Preparation for the prayer-meeting is, in part, the duty 
of the leader, but it is, also, the special province of the 
prayer-meeting committee, for so the constitution provides: 

" This committee shall have in charge the prayer-meet- 



Waj/s and Means. 167 

ing, and shall see that a topic is assigned and a leader 
appointed for every meeting, and shall do what it can to 
secure faithfulness to the prayer-meeting pledge." 

We are here told first that the committee shall have in 
charge the prayer-meeting. This includes not only prepar- 
ation for, but assistance in, the meeting. There should be 
frequent committee-meetings, and that meeting will be 
found most helpful which is preceded by a devotional 
exercise. Thus encouraged and strengthened, bring into 
the work of planning for the meetings the united inventive 
genius of the whole committee. In so doing- let each 
individual member be impressed with a sense of personal 
responsibility for the success of every meeting, from which 
they are not released until its close. 

THE TOPIC. 

Our next duty is to assign a topic. This requires rare 
wisdom and experience, and will often be a hard task to 
new and inexperienced committees. For this reason we 
heartily commend the use of the uniform topics. Nothing 
could be more admirable than these topics and their 
arrangement for the past year. 

THE LEADER. 

The next thing on our list of duties is the appointment 
of a leader. To do this we should aim to have the largest 
possible number of leaders, and to include in this the weak 
and timid as well as the strong and courageous. One of 
the best meetings our society ever held was led by a young 
girl of fifteen, who, on account of great timidity, had long 
refused to take the meeting. In selecting leaders from 
among the active members give an opportunity to all, but 
do not over-urge any. Leading a meeting should not be 
obligatory upon the active members, yet it is a privilege 
which few will refuse. In some societies the leaders are 
called upon in alphabetical order. This method has the 
advantage of giving all a share in sustaining the meetings 
at equal intervals of time. Now that we have provided 



1 68 Waj/s and Means. 

topics and leaders, I fear that too often we feel that the 
obligations of the prayer-meeting committee are discharged. 
Our duties are only begun, and we have entered upon the 
hardest part of committee work, for it is a delicate and 
difficult task to fulfill the obligations embodied in the last 
clause of the article — " And shall do what it can to secure 
faithfulness to the prayer-meeting pledge." Too much 
emphasis cannot be placed upon this duty of the commit- 
tee. It is an essential part that is too often overlooked or 
passed by as unimportant. 

THE SHY AND THE CARELESS. 

For many reasons there are often some in our meetings 
who fail to keep their prayer-meeting pledge. There are 
the diffident members, the uninterested members, the care- 
less members, and finally there are the members who are sat- 
isfied to do a very little if they but keep the letter of their 
pledge. Upon the prayer-meeting committee devolves the 
task of reaching these members in some way and encour- 
aging them to better service. There is but one sure and 
effective way of doing this, and that by individual effort; 
intelligent, systematic, but unobtrusive personal effort on 
the part of the committee. 

In a large society the needed individual work may be 
simplified by giving to each member of the committee a 
portion of the names of the active members. Their indi- 
vidual characteristics may then be studied, and the plans 
adapted to suit them. This work must be carefully and 
prayerfully done, that it may be just the right thing 
needed, and give no offence. Of course, mistakes will 
occur, but these should only stimulate' us to greater activity. 

SOME GOOD METHODS. 

Sometimes a happily-expressed wish, or a bit of personal 
experience, casually given, will bring about the desired 
result. Stanzas of some beautiful hymn or poem, given to 
a few of the diffident members, and read at the meeting, 
often add much to the interest. Let us also try to have 



Ways and Means. 169 

more prayers in our meetings. They are needful to make 
the meetings spiritually helpful. As it is hard for many to 
respond to an unexpected call for prayers, we have found 
it helpful to previously ask a few members to respond to 
the appeal of the leader, or voluntarily offer prayer at 
some definite time. A series of one-sentence prayers 
brings forth wonderful results, both in raising the tone of 
the meeting, and in giving courage to the most timid. Do 
not let the prayers be long, or the sentences so involved as 
to be difficult to follow. Earnestness, brevity and alacrity 
are three essentials to the success of this plan. 

To secure freshness and interest in the meetings variety 
of programme is needed. For this the temperance and 
missionary meetings offer a wide range. 

Our last consecration meeting is worthy of mention. 
Letters were addressed to all of the absent active members, 
stating the subject of the meeting, and requesting them to 
send some expression of their feelings, to be read at roll- 
call. Lett^s were also addressed to all of the resident 
active members explaining the object of the meeting, and 
requesting their co-operation in making the meeting a suc- 
cess. Every answer at roll-call was read (as had been 
requested), thus securing brevity and directness of 
thought and expression. 

These are only a few of the methods that may be 
employed by the prayer-meeting committee, but we know 
them to be practicable. Yet so varied are the needs of 
different societies, that they may not be of practical value 
to all. It is best decided by a careful study of your par- 
ticular society, and wisdom will be given you to plan wisely 
for it. 

A PRAYER-MEETING LETTER. 

The following letter we consider a model of its kind. 
We therefore publish it, that committees desiring to send 



I/O Ways and Means. 

a similar communication may gain some suggestions from 
it: 

Dear Friend: 

While as a society we must all feel that we have gained in prompt 
service in our meetings, and that, while we have had no great spirit- 
ual awakening, we have gained spiritual good to our own souls, let us 
not shrink from acknowledging the great work still undone. We still 
are not, at all times, ready enough to speak for Jesus. We do not 
pray enough. We ask from you a sense of greater personal responsi- 
bility. We ask you to feel that the success of each meeting depends 
largely on the part you take. If we love Jesus we shall feel this 
responsibility. If we do not, something is the trouble and we 
had better look into our own hearts. We ask a great deal. Christ 
demands much. He gives infinitely more than He demands. 
Yours for more active service. 

Prayer-meeting Committee. 



SOME NEW YEAR LETTERS. 

It is a custom, growing in favor at the beginning of the 
year, for prayer-meeting committees to send to the various 
members of their Christian endeavor societies letters con- 
taining reminders of the necessity of reconsecrated effort 
during the coming year. We give below a few such let- 
ters, which seem to us excellent in style and contents. 
The first is from the Presbyterian Y. P. S. C. E. of Cedar 
Falls, la. : 

Dear Friends: 

We are now entering upon another period of service for the Master. 
Will it be a "labor of love" with you? Are you ready with a firm 
endeavor to do active work for Him in our society and community 
this winter? We have plenty of work to do, let us join heart and 
hand and "do with our might what our hands find to do." When a 
call is made, will you be ready to respond with a hearty " Here, Lord, 
send me"? Will you endeavor to attend each meeting and come 
from your closet with His Spirit in your heart and His words on 
your lips, and earnestly endeavor to fulfill all your pledges to your 
]M aster? Please lend us your help. 

The next is from one of the societies of Evanston, 111. : 



Wajys and Means. lyi 

Our Society of Christian Endeavor has just entered upon a new 
year's work. We are sure that you feel a deep interest in the society 
and are ready to do your part toward making our prayer-meetings 
more interesting and helpful. This can be accomplished by all mem- 
bers doing the most and best they can, which means preparing for the 
meetings, attending regularly and taking part. If you have been in 
the habit of reading a verse of Scripture only, it would help both your- 
self and the meeting if you would, standing, either read a sentence or 
two bearing on the subject or give some personal testimony. We 
know that if we all do our part, the meetings will not fail to be help- 
ful to all who may attend. Will you not invite your friends to meet 
with us, if they do not attend a similar meeting elsewhere, and pray 
that all of our society may be greatly blessed this winter ? 

Finally, is one signed by all the members of the prayer- 
meeting committee of the society in Concord, Mass. : 

On Sunday evening, Jan. 6th, occurs the regular quarterly roll-call 
and consecration-meeting. Beginning, as it does, a new year, we feel 
that every member should make an effort to be present, and answer to 
his or her name. It is proposed, that upon that evening we repeat in 
concert our prayer-meeting pledge, as one of the exercises. The com- 
mittee would also suggest that any member, active or associate, unable 
to be present, shall write a verse of appropriate Scripture, signing their 
name and sending to the prayer-meeting committee before the meet- 
ing. Let us all remember our motto, '*For Christ and the Church." 



MINUTE MEN. 

One of the societies in Philadelphia has the following 
good plan : 1 he prayer-meeting committee has appointed 
twelve "minute men," whose duty it is to see that there is 
no pause at the opening of the meeting. Their special 
work is at the very beginning, as soon as the leader has 
concluded. They are to take hold of the " cold end '' of 
the meeting. 

CAREFUL PREPARATION. 

The prayer-meeting committee of the Clinton Avenue 
Congregational Y. P. S C. E., of Brooklyn, evidently offers 



1/2 Ways and Means. 

no idleness to its members. The members have decided 
that their work is not accomplished when the topics and 
leaders are selected ; they go to the prayer-meeting, feeling 
that their chief duty awaits them. Each member of the 
committee promises to take part in every meeting by 
prayer or remarks, to help diffident and neglectful members 
of the society, and to keep the society in mind daily, at the 
hour of prayer, beseeching God's blessing on its work and 
workers. It is not strange that the meetings, for which 
such careful preparation is made, are filled with spirit- 
ual power. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 
PRAYER-MEETING. 

BY REV. EDWARD A. ROBINSON. 

1. Let every member feel a responsibility for every 
meeting. 

2. Be punctual and sit as far forward as possible. 

3. Take part early in the meeting, the earlier the 
better. 

4. Speak so that all may hear. "Whatsoever ye do, 
. . . do it heartily as unto the Lord." 

5. Vary the part that you take in the meeting. 

(a) Please sing hymn No. — . Is this really taking 
part } 

(p) Verse of Scripture. 

(f) Verse of Scripture with a testimony added. 

(d) Short quotation of prose or poetry. 

(e) A word of your own on the subject for the evening, 
(y) A sentence prayer. 

(^) A brief prayer, but longer than (/") . 

6. Commit to memory Psalms i, 23, 24, 91 and 103, in 
order to be able to repeat them in unison, as may be 
desired, in opening a meeting. 



Waj/s and Means. 173 

7. Help the leader, or any speaker; especially if a 
young Christian has helped you, tell him of it. 

8. Be on the watch for helpful suggestions and try to 
secure their adoption. 

9. Greet any new-comer or stranger present at the 
meeting. 

10. Think of the meetings; talk of them, pray for 
them, work for them, and God will surely bless them. 



1/4 IVajys and Means. 



PART XI. 

THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. , 

Fault has sometimes been found with the Christian 
Endeavor Society for not making the social element prom- 
inent enough. Sometimes it is said with a sneer, "Oh, 
that is nothing but a prayer-meeting society." I think the 
society can stand a good many such sneers, and the fact 
that there is any ground for them is one of the best proofs 
that it is true to its real purpose. 

SOME THINGS TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. 

There are parts of our nature that need very little stimu- 
lus, and the social part is one of these with most young 
people. It is hardly necessary to urge most of you to be 
socially inclined, jovial and full of fun. These things are 
all important, and when I see young people growing long- 
faced and lugubrious and melancholy, I will write a 
special letter on the importance of joviality. I don't 
expect to find it necessary this year, however. 

Still, the Society of Christian Endeavor is something 
more than a prayer-meeting, and one of the departments of 
life which it need not stimulate, but should direct into the 
best channels, is the social department. 

THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE. 

For this reason, the social committee is very important. 
It requires as much sanctified common-sense among its 
members as any other on the whole list. It is not true 
that it can be made up of any members who are good 



JFays and Means. 1/5 

nowhere else. The ideal social committee will be com- 
posed of earnest, consecrated young Christians, with much 
life and vigor and ingenuity, with a warm hand-grasp for 
strangers as well as for friends, and plenty of common- 
sense to give the needed balance. It will not allow any- 
thing at the social gatherings which will offend the moral 
sense of the church, and yet it will use so much wit and 
care in preparing for each occasion of the sort, that the old 
phrase "dull as a social," will never apply to the Christian 
Endeavor gatherings. 

THE SCOPE OF THEIR EFFORTS. 

The members of the social committee will not feel that 
they have by any means accomplished their work when 
they have provided the monthly or semi-monthly social, 
but will feel that in a certain sense all the social interests 
of the young people are under their care. We cannot do 
each other much good unless we know each other, and the 
work of the social committee is all summed up in a 
sentence when we say that it exists to make people 
acquainted with one another. It is helped by, and in its 
turn helps, the lookout, calling, relief and Sunday School 
committees, and, in fact, almost every committee, and yet 
it has a distinct work of its own to do, in making people 
feel at home in the church. 

SPECIFIC WAYS. 

It will let no stranger come into the prayer-meeting 
room without giving him a hearty hand-shake and welcome, 
and will not let him out again without introducing him to 
half a dozen members of the society. Some of its mem- 
bers will stand in the vestibule of the church on Sunday 
morning and Sunday evening, if the church approves, to 
give an equally hearty welcome to new-comers, especially 
if they are young people. It will not allow a new family 
to remain very long in the community without quietly find- 
ing out something about its religious proclivities, and giv- 
ing its members an invitation to church and Sunday 



1/6 JVays and Means. 

School and Christian endeavor meeting. It will occasion- 
ally, perhaps, under the guidance of the church and pastor, 
and in connection with some of the other committees, 
make a canvass of the neighborhood with special invita- 
tions. Possibly a careful and systematic religious census 
can be undertaken. It will, of course, be very sure to have 
the best possible social gathering with no wall-flowers, no 
cliques and no unseemly boisterousness. The proprieties 
of the place will be remembered, but the "proprieties" 
will not prevent an out and out good time of the right sort. 

A REAL DIFFICULTY. 

A real difficulty arises from the great diversity of ages 
in many societies. What the children enjoy the older 
young people do not particularly enjoy, and what the older 
ones like is voted "stupid" by the children. Sometimes 
this trouble can be overcome by having two socials at 
about the same time for different ages, in one of which 
certain games for children can be introduced. In other 
placfes it will be better to devote part of the evening to the 
entertainment of the younger ones, and another part to 
exercises that the older ones more enjoy. 

A VEXED QUESTION. 

The question of what kinds of entertainment are proper, 
or whether it is ever best to raise money by entertainments 
or suppers, is perplexing some. I have little counsel to 
offer, but hope each society will consult its own pastor 
and church officers on the subject. Personally, while I 
think the systematic plan of giving is by far the best, and 
one which I hope will be universally adopted by all our 
societies, I see no harm in having a social once a year 
where some money will be raised for a good object in some 
appropriate way that the church approves. 

THE GREAT SAFEGUARD. 

After all, the great safeguard in these matters is to keep 
the social element and the entertainment idea in the right 
place. If it is understood that these things are only tribu- 



Waj/s and Means. 177 

tary to spiritual development and to the highest religious 
life, no harm but only good can result from them. Every 
social may be as much blessed as a prayer-meeting, and 
even an entertainment may be a means of grace, if it is 
constantly borne in mind that the object of every depart- 
ment of our work is, as our constitution says, "to make 
us more useful in the service of God." If that is kept 
steadily in mind, the social element cannot usurp or sup- 
plant the devotional, but the two will work together to 
make the devotional more social and the social more 
devotional, and both elements will bring us nearer to Him 
who was no ascetic recluse, but who went about doing 
good. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

PLANS FOR SOCIALS. 

THE NAME SOCIABLE. 

Into this office, and into the hands of persons who go 
out to speak at anniversaries and conventions of societies 
of endeavor, the inquiries, like flakes of snow, come float- 
ing along — "What kind of an entertainment can you sug- 
gest to us? We have tried almost everything." To this 
oft-recurring interrogatory it is easy to state in the case of 
newly-organized societies what their first form of entertain- 
ment should be. It ought to be a name sociable. A gen- 
tleman or lady who writes a plain, open hand sits at a 
table near the door of entrance. As each guest makes his 
entrance he is asked his name by the social committee, 
and a lable is attached to him indicating to the company, 
wherever he goes, just who he is. While a person is 
being catechized as to his name, and is being supplied 
with a lable, which is pinned on by still others of the 
social committee, if tact is used, a stranger in the society 
begins to feel that a very pleasant acquaintance is begun. 



1/8 Waj/s and Means. 

Formalism has been broken down, and that at the start. 
Although it may never have been confessed, it is some- 
thing deplorable to find how many strangers there are to 
each other in any large society. When these badges are 
placed upon persons, they are construed as the equivalent 
of an introduction, between those who meet, by the social 
committee. Whenever any one is to be announced to 
sing or play, his badge is taken off and held up and read, 
and then replaced. He goes by his ticket. The intro- 
ductions must be in this form : A. B. and C. D. being 
brought together, the label on each is read to the other. 
Now to keep up the interest, let there be a platterful of 
pasteboard letters placed in an accessible position ip the 
largest room of the house. One picks out the letters that 
compose the word Constantinople, or the word echo, and 
hands them to a friend to find out what word cap be 
spelled with those letters. This game of anagrams has 
this desirable feature, it enables one to approach the 
timid members of the party. When the beginnings of 
acquaintance are made, the responsibilities of a social 
committee are over. One having guessed the word him- 
self can turn over the letters to some person who has been 
receiving little attention, and thus have the wall-flowers 
brought up into the pretty group that surrounds th^ 
centre-table. 

METHODS FOR SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT 

BY MISS H. E. COLBURN. 

You will pardon me, I trust, if, before giving the meth- 
ods for social entertainment, I speak of the object of 
social entertainments. 

Its chief object is the object of all the Christian 
Endeavor work, the bringing together of young lives for 
mutual helpfulness in serving Christ. 

Youth has a right to be joyful, and usually seeks merri- 



I 



Waj/s and Means. 179 

ment of a pure, invigorating nature when it can be 
obtained; but when the best is not at hand, it too often 
partakes of the perverted and harmful. 

In this busy hfe of ours we must have some recreation. 
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," is always 
correct. The show boards, lecture courses, and social 
announcements reveal the demand for entertainments of 
all kinds and degrees. 

Our young men and young women will have social 
enjoyment, and if the Christian Endeavor Society does 
not make its socials attractive, those for whom we should 
be most earnestly working and who most need Christian 
influence leave us and go elsewhere. In the larger cities 
esi>ecially, when these young people leave us, we know 
not whither they are led nor in what wicked diversion 
they may ultimately participate. 

WHOLESOME SOCIALS. 

We must make the Christian Endeavor Society enter 
into the lives of our young people in every way we can. 
There has been more than one young life brought into 
the Christian Endeavor Society, and then into the church, 
through the attraction of the socials. Our object, then, 
must be to have entertainments that will help our young 
people to the highest living, at the same time encourage 
and cultivate a desire for a good, wholesome, helpful, 
happy time. 

The duties of the social committee as given in the con- 
stitution are well known. However, the welcoming of 
strangers, and the kind, sympathetic word to the diffident, 
should not be left entirely to the social committee, but 
should be the beautiful privilege of every member of the 
society. It is through these social chats that we come to 
know of the every-day life ; of the burdens that some are 
carrying, and thus we may help them bear their load and 
tell them of the Great Comforter who will aid us in all sor- 
rows if we but ask Him. 



i8o Waj/s and Means. 

In choosing the committee for work at the socials, there 
should be at least five or six members, and the work be 
divided, one-half having charge of refreshments, if any, 
the other providing the literary or other entertainment. 

The time for refreshments seems best at the beginning, 
both for those who serve and those who participate, and 
should be followed by the literary or musical programme. 
If there is any one who thinks refreshments unnecessary, 
let me tell him that in the reports I have received from 
different societies nearly every one suggests refreshments 
as a part of the entertainment, at least occasionally. 

ENTERTAINMENTS SUGGESTED. 

Any society can choose its own methods, these being 
merely hints, and not in any sense official programmes. 
They are appropriate and simple. They will not offend the 
taste of the most fastidious, and, while taking little time 
to prepare, will be sufficiently novel to interest those who 
come, and to warrant charging a small admission fee. 
Do not forget to tell something about the aims and 
growth and needs of the Christian endeavor movement if 
opportunity serves. 

A COLONIAL SUPPER. 

A very simple entertainment would be to provide an 
old-fashioned supper, in which the dishes our forefathers 
indulged in may be provided. The waiters may be 
dressed, if thought best, in colonial style. 

A POP-CORN SOCIABLE. BY MITCHELLA. 

Having never heard of this idea being used anywhere 
but by our own young people, I give it to you, thinking it 
may at least be a suggestion to some social committee. 

In giving the notice, ask each member to bring some 
article made from pop-corn that his neighbor may carry 
away as a souvenir. Let the committee receive and place 
these, unwrapped, upon a screened table. At a signal, 



JVaj^s and Means. i8i 

form the company into marching order, take away the 
screen, and, having marched around the table once, that 
all may see the articles, distribute at the second passing 
around this table. We had some very pretty articles, a 
tiny chaise, made by stringing the corn on fine wire, with 
a little driver sitting up very straight on a burnt-corn seat, 
holding reins made of pop-corn fragments glued on to 
baby ribbon ; shields, stars, fans, pictures and frames, 
made by rolling and sometimes coloring the corn ; a num- 
ber of dolls, tissue paper helping the wardrobe, and a 
sweet rooster which was good enough to eat, all but the 
feathers, for it was a massive corn-ball moulded into 
shape. 

Have ready tissue paper bags — they are pretty made of 
different colors — filled with corn popped, and number them 
for one-half the number present, duplicate these numbers, 
and ask the company to whom you give the bags to find 
the person with the corresponding number, so that they 
may eat the corn together. This will promote sociability. 
We had a barrel of good apples rolled in — you may hide 
the rough exterior by colored shelf-paper, put on like 
ruffles, with tacks, the upper edge covered by pasting a 
piece of bordering around it — and allowed the company 
to help themselves. 

Into the bags of corn may be put quotations of familiar 
prose and poetry, which are to be read by the holders, 
and see who can tell the greatest number of authors 
quoted. 

A FLOWER SOCIAL. 

The following suggestion, although it involves more 
intellectual effort than some may desire, is a good one, and 
is worthy of trial by the social committee. 

Have a large bouquet composed of as many different 
flowers as possible. Then let the main feature of the 
evening be to see how great a variety of good English 
words can be formed from first the initial and then the 



1 82 IVaj/s and Means. 

final letters of the names of the flowers. To increase the 
sociability of the evening, let there be a number of button- 
hole bouquets made, equal to number of guests expected, 
one-half of which must be duplicates of the other half. 
These are placed in two baskets, from one of which each 
gentleman, ^rom the other each lady as she enters, is given 
a bouquet. Those who possess duplicates are supposed to 
entertain each other for the evening. 

A TAG SOCIAL. 

To combine instruction, sociability and amusement in 
an evening's entertainment is not always an easy task. 
The following form of entertainment has been tried, and, 
as it proved a success, we give it to our readers for what 
it is worth. We called it a "Tag Social." To start with, 
a little calculation will be necessary. Estimate the num- 
ber of guests expected to attend. This will guide you in 
the number of tags to prepare. 

For example, if two hundred persons are expected, pur- 
chase two hundred medium size manilla tags. One hun- 
dred must be numbered from one to one hundred. Make 
the second hundred duplicates of the first. The com- 
mittee will then carefully prepare one hundred questions, 
historical, scientific, religious, practical and humorous; the 
questions should be written on one set of the tags, and 
the answer to each one on the tag bearing the duplicate 
number, in legible hand. On the evening of the enter- 
tainment the reception committee should stand at the 
door, and as the guests arrive, give out the tags promiscu- 
ously, with the simple injunction, " Find your duplicate." 
In a very brief time, every one in the room will be eagerly 
seeking his duplicate, which has either the question or 
answer. Formality disappears. Introductions are not 
considered necessary. Sometimes two ladies hold dupli- 
cates, sometimes two gentlemen. There is no attempt at 
"pairing off" the company, nor is eitheT' party expected 
to devote himself to the entertainment of the other during 



Waj/s and Means. 183 

the evening. Having found their duplicate, enjoyed a 
laugh over the conundrum, or expressed pleasure at the 
sentiment of the poetical quotation, they pass on to see 
what their neighbor has, or to exchange tags with some 
one else. By this time the company are pretty well 
acquainted, and thoroughly alive to the scheme. The 
chairman of the evening steps to the platform, touches a 
bell, which is a signal for silence. The chatter ceases; 
some find seats, some stand. A musical number or recita- 
tion is announced, after which the master of ceremonies, 
who has prepared a complete list of the questions and 
answers according to the number, proceeds to call the 
question numbers from his list, and the holder of the 
duplicate number answers him as he proceeds. Answers 
come from all parts of the room, so that all have the bene- 
fit of the fun, sentiment and wisdom of the whole series of 
questions given out. After calling eight or ten numbers 
there is another pause, and music, vocal or instrumental, 
is introduced; then follows the calling of more numbers, 
with music at intervals, until the list is exhausted. A fit- 
ting supplement to this "feast of reason and flow of soul," 
as a closing feature of the programme, is the serving of 
lemonade and cake. 

EVENINGS WITH AMERICAN AUTHORS. 

From Maiden, Mass., we have received the following 
scheme for an entertainment, which seems to us unusually 
good. We have no doubt that it will favorably impress 
many social committees, who are now racking their brains 
for "just the right thing." F. D. G. thus describes the 
plan : 

Twelve of the leading authors will be sufficient for one 
evening. Let us take poets : Longfellow, Whittier, Bryant, 
and Lowell; novelists: Cooper and Hawthorne; preach- 
ers: Jonathan Edwards, William Channing; essayists: Irv- 
ing and Emerson; orators: Webster and Choate. Assign 
each author to one person and get him to look up an 



184 Ways and Means. 

extract from some of the author's writings to recite, and 
also something interesting to relate about the author's life 
or work. We found it best to allow eight or ten minutes 
to each speaker, and to give out the parts a month before, 
so as to have time enough to study up.- Get the music 
committee to furnish a little music for the evening. When 
the time comes to "open the meeting," it is best to have 
the president or chairman of the social committee explain 
the scheme, viz. : each speaker will first give his selection, 
then the chairman will give opportunity to the audience to 
guess the author, and, last, the speaker will relate the 
biography. Not more than one minute should be spent 
guessing. If they can't guess correctly just go on, and 
tell them without waiting. In this way, a pleasant and 
profitable evening may be passed. Of course it is not 
necessary to take American authors, for the English poets 
or the English novelists may be studied on the same plan. 

CONVERSATION TOPIC CARD. 

Our request for suggestions for social gatherings has 
been most kindly replied to by various societies. From 
the Park Street Y. P. S. C. E. of Boston, and from Ox- 
ford, Penn., come accounts of a novel method of inducing 
sociability, which may be described as follows : Cards with 
ten or fifteen topics of conversation and blank spaces for 
names are distributed early in the evening, and the gentle- 
men are given time to fill out the blanks. When the bell 
sounds, the gentleman finds the lady whose name is oppo- 
site topic number one, and converses with her on that sub- 
ject until the bell sounds again, when he finds lady num- 
ber two, and so on throughout the entire list. From two 
to five minutes are given to each subject, according to the 
number of topics. The society in Oxford made a slight 
modification of this plan, which is especially desirable 
where the feeling of sociability is not general and where 
there are more ladies than gentlemen. Instead of allow- 
in^r each "-entleman to choose the ladies with whom he 



Waj/s and Means. 185 

talks, the cards are filled beforehand by the social commit- 
tee, thus providing that no one is left alone at any time. 

From many societies that have tried this plan, we have 
received enthusiastic reports of its success. See if it 
doesn't work well in your society. 

TETE-A-TETE SOCIALS. 

As a further explanation of the plan for tete-a-tete 
socials, given in the Exchange of November 22, we 
publish a portion of a letter received from the Christian 
Endeavor Society in Bath, N. Y., where the plan has been 
successfully carried out : 

"At eight o'clock about eighty had assembled, when the 
pastor announced that it was time to fill the programmes 
for the conversations. All formalities were laid aside, 
young ladies asking the young gentlemen for conversa- 
tions, as well as the young men asking the ladies. The 
gentleman wrote his name on the card belonging to the 
young lady, and she wrote her name on his card, opposite 
the subject they were to converse upon. The members of 
the social committee were careful to see that all were sup- 
plied with partners during each conversation ; and, if they 
found any one who was seemingly neglected, it was but a 
moment before they and their partners were conversing 
with that one. With such a spirit, the committee carried 
our social through to a grand success, so much so that it 
will be repeated soon. The conversations were each of 
five minutes' length." 

The subjects, neatly printed on white cards, were : 

I St, The Weather. 2nd, Parades. 3rd, Our Society. 
4th, Favorite Books. 5 th, Music. 6th, What's the 
News.'' 7th, Traveling. 8th, Our Neighbors. 

CIRCULATING LIBRARY SOCIAL. 

A young people's society in Bennington, Vt., h"as recently 
given a successful "Circulating Library Social." Mrs. C. 
R. Seymour kindly furnishes the details of this somewhat 
unique entertainment. 



1 86 Waj/s and Means. 

" Members of the company are dressed to represent 
some book or character of a book. A band is pinned 
across the back, between the shoulders, lettered with the 
title or name of the character assumed. A belt around 
the waist lias on it the name of the author. The 'books' 
march around the room to music, then to the platform, 
where they are arranged in tiers (by means of boxes of 
different heights) with backs to the audience. The large 
lettering in rows makes a fine show of volumes. 

"A librarian who is well read addresses the audience, 
describing the books in the order in which they are 
shelved. The success of the entertainment depends 
largely upon the wit of the librarian. As the title of 
each book is named, it faces the company. Sometimes 
as in the case of Topsy, in ' Uncle Tom's Cabin,' the char- 
acter sings or recites. After all are described the public 
are invited to subscribe to the Circulating Library, and 
each person is allowed to take a book home." 

AN "S" SOCIAL. 

The following programme of an "S" social, held in con- 
nection with a missionary society at Chicago, may be sug- 
gestive to some social committee • 

SMALL SPEACIE SOCIAL. 
Second Sun after Sunday. 

SEVEN SIXTY SHARP. 

Section I . 

Selected Music, Sonatrice. 

Some Missionary Statements. 

Selection from Shakespeare, . . . Somebody. 

Securing Society Shekels. 

Section 2. 

"Speech is Silvern." 

Strange Customs, 

Side Show, 



Waj/s and Means, 187 

Systematic Study, 
Sympathy, 
Scenes in a City, 
Selected, 

TETE-A-TETE AGAIN. 

The tete-a-tete social has evidently been a favorite this 
winter, but sometimes the social committee, having made 
their general plans, are troubled to find fresh and interest- 
ing subjects for conversation. From a conversation order 
used by the Y. P. S. C. E. of the Second Congregational 
Church of Attleboro, at a recent social, we have taken the 
following subjects. These conversations were interspersed 
with music, and several subjects were appointed for each 
conversation, so that each couple of conversationalists 
could find something to their choice: "How to Make a 
Sociable Social," " Our Favorite Book," " Is Conversation 
a Lost Art?" "Jewelry," "One-cent Postage," "The Inau- 
guration," "Admission of the Chinese into Our Country," 
"Wheat Crops," and, just before supper, "Will You have 
Some Refreshments?" 

CHINESE FAN AND LANTERN FESTIVAL. 

Since in so many of our cities our young people are 
interested in Chinese Sunday Schools, and are learning 
how grateful these Orientals are, and how generously they 
evince their appreciation at times, we feel that the follow- 
ing ingenious entertainment might be available in other 
places than in the Congregational Church of South Nor- 
walk. Conn., where it was so successfully tried. We give 
the account in the words of Mr. John Francis, president of 
the society: 

" A Chinese Fan and Lantern Festival was recently held 
in the chapel, which was beautifully decorated with fans, 
lanterns, Chinese curios, etc. A band of Chinese scholars 



1 88 Waj^s and Means. 

and visitors was present, some of whom rendered selec- 
tions on the 'yee-gin,' 'juk-come,' and other instruments. 
This, with singing, reading and recitations in Chinese, 
made a very interesting programme. A large and beauti- 
ful selection of fans was secured, and the purchase of a 
fan was the price of admission. Mr. Lee Hong, of Sac- 
ramento, Cal, placed his autograph on many fans, and 
greatly aided the committee in making the festival a 
success." 

VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS. 

Some of the socials centre around this feature of enjoy- 
ment: "The Rainbow Party," "Japanese Tea," "Box 
Supper," "The Crazy Tea," "The Gentlemen's Turn," 
are very attractive. The candy pull, sugar party, harvest 
supper, strawberry festival, the lawn party, the picnic, so 
well known to all the young people of New England, with 
their games and merry-making, may well have their place 
in social enjoyment. At these gatherings, games always 
come in for consideration. 

Games are desired that do not cause too much commo- 
tion, and are at the same time interesting and not in the 
least questionable as to their propriety. "Geography," 
"Twenty Questions," "School," "Admiration," in fact, 
hundreds of games can be played that are bright and 
helpful. 

The most beneficial programme consists first of the usual 
light refreshments, and then literary exercises. There ars 
always musicians in every society, and usually some one 
who will read or recite. In music and literature there are 
almost limitless resources. An evening with an author is 
both instructive and enjoyable. 

A LONGFELLOW EVENING. 

Take for illustration a Longfellow evening : Readings 
and recitations from his poems are always agreeable. His 
lyrics furnish us with some of the most beautiful songs in 
our language. "The Arrow and Song," "The Bridge," 



Ways and Means. 189 

" The Day is Done," " The Rainy Day," and others of his 
songs are always welcome and loved by all. A sketch of 
the author's life should be a part of the programme. 

A musicale devoted to one composer is very beneficial. 
A Mendelssohn evening was greatly enjoyed by one of the 
societies. Mendelssohn, Mozart, Rubinstein, Schubert, 
Schumann, and many other composers have written both 
songs and instrumental compositions, and with a sketch 
of the musician's life the variety is sufficient to prevent 
monotony. 

For a miscellaneous programme, "The Songs of Seven," 
by Jean Ingelow, read and illustrated by tableaux, is known 
to most of you. Parts of the " Courtship of Miles Stand- 
ish," can be given effectively in the same way. A little 
thought will suggest other poems that can be successfully 
represented. 

A few general suggestions may be of use. In the first 
place, have method in the preparation and the conducting 
of the entertainment. 

Call upon different ones to assist, and try to make each 
one feel there is something he can do. 

Variety of entertainment will help to keep alive an inter- 
est in the socials, and bring in the different ones to assist. 

Consider carefully the demands and the conveniences of 
the society, and begin with that which is sure to succeed, 
and later the way may be clearly seen for something more 
elaborate. Above all, ever keep in mind the motive, 
which is to bring the members together in Christian sym- 
pathy and to make the Endeavor Society the happiest, 
most helpful and most blessed of all places for the coming 
together of young lives 

So let us work and never be weary in well-doing, for we 
are His children in whom we should live, move, and have 
our being, serving "Christ and the church." 

A BASKET SOCIAL. 

A member of the Methodist Y. P. S. C. E. of Bethle- 



IQO Waj/s and Means 

hem, Penn., has sent us an account of an enjoyable enter- 
tainment, known as a "Basket Social." The ladies of 
the society brought dainty baskets, in each of which was 
neatly packed supper for two people and the card of the 
bringer. These baskets were then sold at auction to the 
gentlemen, who, on receiving the baskets, shared the con- 
tents with the ladies whose cards were found therein. By 
this means, the society easily raised $28.50. Our corre- 
spondent sends the advice that the baskets be numbered 
and sold by their numbers, rather than offered in open 
market, as thus no buyer can have the advantage of know- 
ing whose basket he is securing. 

AN author's banquet. 

We do not propose to eat any authors, even those guilty 
of perpetrating spring poems ; this is merely a name given 
to a popular social. As patriotic feelings ought to be 
stirred whenever it may be possible, we will confine 
our attention to American authors. We will first have 
an old-fashioned supper, consisting of beans, brown bread, 
Indian pudding, " mush " and milk, pumpkin-pie, hogshead 
cheese and any other colonial delicacies that can he easily 
furnished. To this and the subsequent entertainment, we 
will charge an admission fee of ten, fifteen or twenty-five 
cents. The supper is to be served at several tables, pre- 
sided over by young men and women in costume, repre- 
senting characters from the writings of various authors. 
Of course the number of tables and waiters is dependent 
on the size of the company. Som.e or all of these charac- 
ters may be present. At the Irving table, Ichabod Crane 
and Katrina Van Tassell; at the Longfellow table, John 
Alden and Priscilla, Evangeline and Gabriel ; at the Lowell 
table, 'Zekiel and Huldy; at the Mark Twain table, the 
Prince and the pauper; and at the Holley table, Josiah 
Allen and Josiah Allen's wife, Betsey Bobbitt and Thomas 
Jefferson (Allen). For the entertainment, many things 
will suggest themselves to the different societies. A rough 



Ways and Means. 191 

plan would include — recitation of some portions of " Sleepy 
Hollow," by Ichabod Crane ; reading of the scene between 
Priscilla and John Alden, by Priscilla; singing of "The 
Arrow and the Song," by Evangeline, or "The Bridge," by 
Gabriel; reading of "The Courtin'," by 'Zekiel; and dia- 
logue between Josiah Allen's wife and Betsey Bobbitt or 
between Josiah Allen and Samanthy, taken from any of 
Miss Holley's books. This general scheme is capable of 
various development and will be found a source of great 
pleasure and entertainment. 

MISSIONARY ENTERTAINMENTS. 

If the meeting is held on Sunday evening, the exercises, 
for a part of the evening, can be a missionary concert. 
After fifteen or twenty minutes spent on the regular topic 
of the evening, the missionary exercises may begin. For 
these, much information may be secured from the various 
denominational papers and magazines, which every month 
are filled with most interesting accounts of the mission 
work in all parts of the world. The denominational 
boards of publication also issue leaflets giving many 
inspiring items of news. Readings from these, accounts 
of missionaries in whom the church is particularly inter- 
ested, earnest prayers for God's blessing on the various 
fields, and singing of missionary hymns will make an inter- 
esting meeting, followed by a generous offering for the 
advancement of the work. For a meeting to be held on a 
week-day evening, many programmes suggest themselves. 
The publication societies of the various denominations 
issue leaflets giving suggestions for entertainments; collec- 
tions of recitations, readings and dialogues suitable for 
such occasions are also easily procured. The Presbyte- 
rian Board of Publication, 1334 Chestnut Street, Phil- 
adelphia, publishes two pamphlets, under the name of 
"Missionary Exercises (Nos. i and 2) for the use of Sun- 
day Schools and Mission Bands, consisting of responsive 
readings, dialogues, selections in prose and poetry, etc." 



192 Wa}^s and Means, 

A publication of the same nature is "The Mission-Band 
Portfolio, a collection of dialogues, recitations and hymns," 
arranged by the Women's Baptist Foreign Missionary Soci- 
eties, Tremont Temple, Boston. In these pamphlets may 
be found exercises for many ages and many numbers of 
participants. A dialogue recommended by the Women's 
Board of Missions (Congregational), i Somerset Street, 
Boston, is " Sowing Light," arranged for eleven girls and 
nine children, in the costumes of various nations. Other 
and less ambitious dialogues published by the same board 
are, "What's the Use?-" "Another Missionary Meeting," 
for young ladies, and " Little Light-Bearers," for children. 
The Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, 36 Bromfield Street, Boston, have 
recently published " Bright Bits for Readings in Mission- 
ary Societies," with selections suitable for all occasions. 
They issue, also, several dialogues arranged for four, five or 
eight girls and young ladies. 

GAMES FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS. 

[We must not forget the younger ones in our societies, and for them 
certain appropriate and rational games often afford healthful amuse- 
ment. Especially if these social gatherings are held at a private 
house, or in connection with picnics, as they often are, are these 
games appropriate. We are uncompromisingly opposed to "kissing" 
games, and we publish these hints, kindly furnished us by Miss Col- 
burn, though they relate to well-known games, with the hope that 
where any entertainment of this sort is best, they may take the place 
of the objectionable. — Ed.] 

CAMPS. 

The company is divided into two equal parties or 
"Camps." A member from each camp goes from the room 
and together they decide upon some object for the others 
to guess. On returning, the delegate from Camp A goes 
to Camp B, and B's delegate goes to A. The members of 
the Camp then try to find out the object the delegate has 



Waj/s and Means. 193 

in mind by means of questions so framed as to admit only 
of the answer "Yes" or "No." The camp which in this 
way first guesses the object has the privilege of claiming 
both their own delegate and the delegate from the oppos- 
ing camp. Two other delegates are then sent out, who 
come back with a new object, and the game goes on until 
one camp has, by successful questioning, drawn all the 
members from the other camp. Some object about the 
room, like a door-hinge, makes a good beginning, but the 
questioners will soon enjoy tussling with something more 
difficult, like "The atmosphere of the planet Mars," or 
"The tree from which the handle of Washington's hatchet 
was made." 

PROVERBS. 

One of the company goes out of the room, while the 
remainder select a proverb which is given out word by 
word to the players, so that each has a word. If the prov- 
erb is short, it must be repeated until each one is sup- 
plied with his word. When the absentee is called back, 
he asks a question of some one, which must be answered 
in such a way as to bring in the word assigned to the per- 
son answering. The interlocutor may ask each one three 
questions. By learning, in this way, here and there a 
word, he is able to guess the proverb. The player from 
whom the interlocutor obtains the first clue takes his place. 

SHOUTING PROVERBS. 

The company is seated in a ring, and one member goes 
out of the room. The words of the proverb are distributed 
as in the previous game. When the one outside is called 
back, at a given signal each one in the circle shouts his 
word at the same time. This is repeated until in the 
medley the guesser can distinguish enough words to make 
a guess at the proverb. 

DUMB CRAMBO. 

The company is divided into two equal parties. Party 
No. I goes into another room while No. 2 selects a word 



194 Waj/s and Means. 

having two or more meanings; for instance, "fair" (sul> 
stantive), "fair" (adjective), "fare" (food), "fare" (price), 
fixing on one special signification. No. 2 then tell No. i 
that they have chosen a word rhyming with "rare." No. i 
proceed to act, in pantomime, all the rhymes for that word 
they can think of, trying to do it in such a way as to puz- 
zle No. 2, who have to guess what word they act. When 
they reach the particular signification chosen, the parties 
change places. No. i choosing a new word and No. 2 act- 
ing the rhymes. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

First, a judge and two leaders are appointed by nomina- 
tion. Then the two leaders choose their sides as in a 
spelling-match. The judge begins with "A" and points 
to one of the leaders, who is to give a geographical name 
before the judge counts twenty; then the judge points to 
the other and counts, and thus goes on from side to side, 
until one of the leaders fails to give a name before the 
judge counts twenty, then the other leader chooses one 
from the failing side. Then the judge begins with "B," 
asking first the leader who looses. When one side fails to 
give a name beginning with " B," one is chosen from his 
side, and then names beginning with "C" are given. The 
game goes on until all are chosen by one side or until the 
entire alphabet is exhausted. The leaders only are to give 
the names, but it is the part of each one to give the leader 
of his side every name of which he can think, beginning 
with the letter that is then used. The names are to be 
whispered to the leader. No name is to be given twice. 
All must abide by the decision of the judge. 

A GOOD TEST. 

How can we decide what entertainments to provide for 
our social gatherings is often a question which gives prac- 
tical concern to our societies, and especially to the social 



Ways and Means. 195 

committees. We recently heard a very simple but very 
effective test. Said a pastor of a large and flourishing 
society — "We have capital socials where all get acquainted 
and all have a right good time, yet I believe we could stop 
in the middle of any one, and without any shock or sense 
of incongruity, enjoy a prayer-meeting." There could 
hardly be a better touchstone for a social gathering of 
young people. No matter how gay and light-hearted and 
full of fun the young people may be, if they could go from 
that gathering into a meeting for prayer, and be at once in 
the spirit of prayer, there would be little danger of going 
astray on the social side. In other words, the social gath- 
ering where the disciple can commune with the Lord with- 
out any sense of incongruity, is the only proper place for 
the Christian, young or old. And this will make no one 
dull, or long-faced, or straight-laced. Was not our Lord 
at the marriage-feast at Cana ? Did His presence inter- 
fere with the joyousness of that occasion? Rather, He 
added to its good cheer, as He will add to the joy of every 
festive occasion to-day where His people meet in His spirit. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING SOCIALS. 

Question. Should Christian Endeavor socials be solely 
for social enjoyment and cultivation of our social natures, 
or should they be partly for the purpose of raising money? 

Answer. The primary object of a Christian Endeavor 
social, like every other department of Endeavor wor.k, 
as said on another page, is to "increase our mutual 
acquaintance, and to make us more useful in the service of 
God." This it attempts to do by making the active and 
associate members better acquainted one with another. If 
this is remembered by all, we see no serious objection to 
using an occasional social for raising money needed for a 
good object. Such a social should be the exception, how- 
ever j most of them should be attended by no expense. 



196 Waj/s and Means. 

Ques. Are there any conditions or circumstances which 
will permit a true Christian to participate in public dancing ? 

Ans. If by "permit" is meant, "make it best or expe- 
dient," we cannot conceive of such circumstances 

Ques. Can one safely trust his own conscience to 
decide questions Hke the above? 

Ans. Certainly. There is nothing else to trust but 
an enlightened and tender conscience; though every 
young person may wisely seek the guidance of those 
more experienced 

Ques. What is the attitude of the Christian Endeavor 
Society toward the doubtful amusements — dancing, card- 
playing, etc.? 

Ans. The attitude of the society is one of uncompro- 
mising hostility to every amusement that lowers the tone 
of Christian living, and interferes with Christian activity, 
and this, we believe, is true of the dance, the card-table 
and the theatre, as at present conducted. We would 
repeat the advice of Bishop Vincent on this subject — 
"Better not." This is in answer to many inquirers. 

We have various questions about active members attend- 
ing the theatre, opera, dances, etc., and one even that asks 
us if active members should go skating Sunday afternoons. 
We have answered these questions so often that we should 
enjoy a rest from them. Of course. Sabbath-breaking is 
removed from the category of doubtful amusements, and 
any young man who goes skating on Sunday is guilty of 
breaking the law of God. As to these doubtful amuse- 
ments, we will say once more and emphatically they 
should be and will be avoided by earnest young Christians 
because, one and all, they lead the soul away from the 
highest spiritual activities. No Christian should allow 
himself to engage in any amusement concerning which he 
has the slightest doubt and upon which, on his knees, he 
cannot ask God's blessing. 



Waj/s and Means. 197 



PART XII. 

MUSIC, TEMPERANCE, MISSIONARY AND 
SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 



MUSIC. 

MUSIC AND MUSIC COMMITTEE 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 
CONCERNING OUR MUSIC. 

I suppose that I am about the last person who should 
have anything to say on the music question, since a civil 
service examination for musical director of the smallest 
Christian endeavor society in America, I fear, would find 
me sadly wanting. 

However, I do know a little more about the matter than 
a friend of mine, who shamelessly boasts that he cannot 
tell "Yankee Doodle" from "Old Hundred." Besides, it 
does not take a musical critic to say some things which are 
worth saying about the music in our societies. 

TOO MUCH OF IT 

In the first place, I think many of our societies have too 
much singing. Sometimes the impression is given that 
the gospel hymns are resorted to to fill up the time, and 
that is always a very unfortunate impression for any meet- 
ing to make. To say "Number 136," is such an easy get- 
off that I am always sorry to hear any one who takes no 
other part thus try to ease his conscience and fulfill his 



198 IVaj/s and Means, 

pledge. I would almost rather he kept still altogether. 
It is a very different thing when one says: "The one 
hundred and thirty-sixth hymn expresses my feelings to- 
night. I wish we might sing the first verse." But even 
then it is usually better for him to read the first verse. 
On the whole, I think it is, as a rule, wise for the leader to 
give out all the hymns that are sung from the book. He 
can suggest them at the appropriate times; they will be 
more likely to be in accord with the spirit of the meeting, 
and there will not be too many of them. 

IMPROMPTU SINGING. 

What I have been saying does not apply to the 
impromptu singing of which I wish we might have much 
more. There can hardly be too much of this. No time is 
wasted in fumbling over hymn-books and finding the place 
and playing over an old tune that every one knows as well 
as his mother's lullaby. There is nothing more spiritually 
stimulating than such singing, and it is a wonder to me 
that we do not have vastly more of it in all our meetings. 
In every society there are some who have this gift of start- 
ing a hymn without an instrument, and they ought to culti- 
vate it. 

WHAT CAN THE MUSIC COMMITTEE DO? 

This question is often asked. To answer it comprehen- 
sively, I might say it ought to see that the society meet- 
ings have the very best music possible. It can often form 
a choir from the society which will be very helpful. This 
choir can, at least, sit together and lead the singing with a 
strong volume of sound. For special occasions like anni- 
versaries, etc., they can prepare anthems and special 
music. In many ways, too, this committee can help the 
music of the church. Ask the pastor if he would like 
some assistance from the young people in the singing of 
the weekly prayer-meeting or in the evening service, or see 
if the superintendent of the Sunday School cannot use to 



Waj/s and Means. 199 

advantage the musical talent of the society. I think that 
many such "Openings" will be found. 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR HYMNS. 

Many societies, I think, can use to advantage some of 
our new Christian endeavor hymns. Of course they will 
not "sing themselves." No new tune will. But to learn 
such new pieces and to teach them to the society is just 
what this committee is for, and to introduce them occa- 
sionally is to introduce a pleasing and helpful variety. 

I suppose that Mr. Adriance, the compiler, would be as 
far as any one else from claiming that "Hymns of Chris- 
tion Endeavor" is a perfect book, and the design is to 
improve it just as rapidly as our Christian endeavor 
hymnology grows in volume and in value, but there are 
some admirable new Christian endeavor pieces in this 
book, besides many of the old standard favorites, as 
well as such universal favorites of later days as Dr. 
Rankin's "God Be With You," and "At the Cross." 
Moreover, it is so cheap that it can be used side by side 
with other books to supplement, as it was designed to do, 
rather than to supplant them. 

IN GENERAL. 

To speak in a general way, I do not think our singing is 
fast enough or strong enough to be the power it ought to 
be. It often gives the impression of being rather weak 
and languishing, with too much organ and too little voice. 

If I am wrong on this point, my musical friends can 
charge it to my ignorance, and since I do not pretend to 
be any sort of an authority, I will hide behind one who 
can speak with more power, and whose words, I hope, will 
be considered by all our societies. Rev. Dr. E. P. Parker, 
of Hartford, wrote thus to The Co7igregationalist : 

" How often, in our churches and chapels, we are com- 
pelled to wait for some brother or sister to grind out 
' Boylston ' from beginning to end, before we tackle it ! 
That dreary, superfluous performance operates in the way 



200 Waj/s and Means. 

of serious discouragement. We are disgusted, to begin 
with. Then the wretched interlude between verses is a 
reHc of barbarism. It takes time and dreadfully abuses it, 
too. But, in particular, congregational singing in our 
churches moves in too slow a measure to be successful. 

" Everywhere in the English churches I found that the 
tunes were sung much faster than with us. They sing five 
verses of an ordinary hymn while we sing two. There is 
life and spirit in the faster movement. You get through 
in due time. Convinced that they are right, I tried the 
same movements in my own church, and very soon 
found our congregational singing rapidly improving in all 
respects. With a note or two of organ preparation, let the 
singing begin. Abolish all interludes, and go on as 
quickly as may be, to the end of the hymn. ' As quickly 
as may be,' I say, because I know that there is little or no 
likelihood of moving too swiftly. The tendencies are all 
to dragging and dullness. 

"Try the experiment with 'Old Hundred,' which is dis- 
mally dull as commonly sung, and see how that solid old 
tune brightens up and shows forth its grandeurs. Here, 
in my judgment, is one of the prime secrets of successful 
congregational singing." 

Like the Englishman who agreed with Mr. Burke, I say 
" ditto " to Dr. Parker. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

THE MINISTRY OF SONG. 

BY CHARLES N. GOODRICH. 

There are many avenues leading to the highway of the 
Great King, and to the child of faith song is a most favored 
approach. It is the natural expression of our very being, 
and accepted as a common pathway by the heavy-laden, 
as well as the joyful ones of earth ; but the young people 



Waj/s and Means. 201 

fail to appreciate in its fullest degree the inspiration of 
melody. We do not make enougti of music in our meet- 
ings. There is an appeal in it which touches many- 
responsive heart-chords, when other means have failed. 
In the matter of song there is a fine chance for us to give 
it an element of power to which it most surely aspires. 

The hour of meeting having arrived and the young 
people all ready, what part shall song have during the 
coming hour .? Leadership in song, according to my way 
of thinking, is just as necessary as leadership in devotion. 

If your society is large enough, have a quartette, double 
quartette or chorus, which shall always be seated facing 
the other members of the society. Apart from their 
help in leading the general singing let there be some 
special contribution from them during the course of the 
meeting, a solo, duet, trio, quartette or something which 
will give a distinctive feature to the thought of the even- 
ing. Have something different in the line of music every 
time as far as expedient; for the unexpected will serve to 
excite an interest which cannot fail to be of benefit. A 
song which has a swing to it will, as a rule, be a good 
opening piece either for the leaders or those led. Is it 
best to have the unconverted numbered among the leader- 
ship of which I have just spoken ? I am inclined to doubt 
the wisdom of it ; for how can we tell the story of the 
Cross to others in song or otherwise, unless we first know 
it ourselves ? Mr. Moody's chorus singers owe not a little 
of their power to the well-known fact that they believe 
what they sing, and thus their worship is sincere. 

Impromptu singing is worthy of great commendation, 
and wisely used will be a spiritual lever, which will won- 
drously lift us up in thought and deed. I think it is con- 
ceded that no musical instrument is capable of such rich 
expression as the human voice, and the latter stands with- 
out a peer in the realm of music. With such a gift at our 
command, why not employ it alone, as occasion serves? 



202 Waj^s and Means. 

Let opportunity be the tuning-fork, which shall give the 
key-note. For instance, a boy has given, with extreme 
embarrassment, his first testimony for Christ. Every one 
is moved by the confession. Now is just the moment for 
some one, who knows the difference between a sharp and 
a flat, to begin singing some familiar and appropriate song, 
such as, "Am I a Soldier of the Cross," "O Happy Day 
that Fixed My Choice," "All Hail the Power of Jesus' 
Name," and the like. The response will be very hearty, 
and every one will speak a word of cheer to the young 
convert, through the happy medium of song. A lady has 
passed through some very trying experience, and is 
troubled beyond measure. She cannot understand the 
why of it. The brightness of life has become overcast by 
clouds of seeming adversity. It may be that a crisis is 
upon her. Lend a hand to her by singing very softly a 
verse or two of "Rock of Ages," "My Faith Looks up to 
Thee," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Nearer My God to 
Thee," songs which have stood the test of time, and been 
to countless numbers of sorrowing children, "as the 
shadow of a great rock in a weary land." It will bring a 
relief to her beyond compare. The spirit of the song will 
follow her for weeks, perhaps years, and that meeting 
above all others will be held in most grateful memory. 
There are times when the very air is tremulous with 
expectancy. The Christ is near by. Hearts are turned 
to Him by the magnetism of His presence, as the mari- 
ner's compass points to the north star. Plead for the 
unconverted one by your side in " Pass Me Not, O Gentle 
Saviour," "Just as I Am," or "What a Friend we Have 
in Jesus." 

Song may be our one talent ; if so, shall we be voice- 
less ? A young lady became an active member of a Chris- 
tian Endeavor Society. She was timid by nature, and had 
never taken part in the prayer-meeting. What could she 
do.? When she assumed the pledge of membership, she 



IVaj/s and Means. 203 

took the Lord into her confidence, and He said to her, 
"You have a very fine voice, consecrate that to My ser- 
vice, share with others your wealth of song." She 
responded to the divine suggestion, and sang with such 
sweetness for the dear Christ that it was thought by many 
that one soul after another was sung into the kingdom. 

When I was a little boy, the Prince of Wales visited the 
city where I lived and every one gave him a right hearty 
welcome. Residences were beautifully decorated with 
flags and bunting, arches spanned the streets, and all the 
school children were drawn up on either side of the way 
through which the procession was to pass, the girls 
dressed in white, and the boys radiant in their Sunday 
clothes. When the carriage containing His Royal High- 
ness approached, we, with uncovered heads, saluted him 
with acclamations, waving of flags and handkerchiefs. 
But, as I recall it all now, it seems to me that song was 
most acceptable, and capped the climax of the greeting; 
for, as he passed through the lines, with the dignity of a 
coming greatness resting upon him, we voiced our gladness 
at his presence in songs, and as soon as he heard the 
songs, he smiled upon us most graciously. And I have 
often thought that we can give no grander or more pleas- 
ing tribute to Him, who calls Himself the Prince of Peace, 
than in our service of song. Heaven and earth sometimes 
come very near together, never more so than when the 
redeemed, peopling two worlds, unite in singing the praises 
of the Redeemer Himself. 

"OVERWORKING THE HYMN-BOOK." 

The hymn-book is immensely overworked in some of 
our societies. We were in a meeting once where it seemed 
as though, after every testimony or verse of Scripture or 
brief prayer, a verse of a hymn was called for, and it was 
evident that many of the hymns were given out simply as 



204 Waj/s and Means. 

the easiest way of "taking part." Any such participation 
is as bad as none at all. It is not in accordance with the 
spirit of the pledge. The leader of the meetings can 
usually give out the hymns with better judgment of the 
needs of the meeting than any one else. In no case 
should the cheap get-off, '■' Please sing No. 57," be offered 
or accepted as a substitute for a genuine word of testi- 
mony or a prayer or passage of Scripture. It is manifestly 
unfair and ungenerous for an unfaithful member to keep a 
whole audience singing, to enable him to escape a duty. 
It is often better to read a verse of a hymn than to ask to 
have it sung. We want singing enough, but not too 
much. 

A CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR CHOIR. 

BY REV. CHARLES A. NORTHROP. 

For many years the First Congregational Church, 
Norwich, Conn., had had no choir to lead the singing of 
the congregation. Leadership in song was in the hands of 
the pastor, who acted as precentor. His successor in the 
pulpit could not sing. No available precentor was to be 
had. The singing continued to be congregational in the 
sense that some in the congregation considered themselves 
permitted to sing, if they chose. It was a little relief 
when a few of the singers took their' places on Sunday in 
the choir gallery, and, without previous practice of the 
tunes, sung with the congregation ; familiar tunes flowed 
peacefully; an unusual tune wrought woe. Things went 
on in this way for three years or more, until one day the 
Y. P. S. C. E. of the church appointed a committee 
on music, pointed to the choir gallery, but spoke no 
word. 

The committee understood, and went on to select from 
the congregation a double quartette choir, including a 
musical director. All these, with one exception, were 



Ways and Means. 205 

members of the Christian Endeavor Society. This action 
was reported to the Endeavor society and approved by it. 
It had also the approbation of the standing committee of 
the church, and ultimately the approval of the Church 
itself, not only as respects the existence of the choir, but 
also as to its composition. The hearty approval of the 
congregation put the choir before the people as their 
leader in the improvement of public worship. 

It was a condition of the appointment of the members 
of the choir that they should be willing to attend weekly 
rehearsals. A few months' trial of this Christian 
Endeavor choir has shown a decided interest on the part 
of its members in the necessary preparation for the fulfill- 
ing of its function as leader of public song, and attendance 
upon rehearsals has generally been constant. Freely and 
cheerfully, time and study have been given to the service 
of the church in this respect. There has been an enrich- 
ing of public worship, on the side of song, by the intro- 
duction of the "Gloria," the chanting of the Lord's 
Prayer, an anthem or equivalent, and the prayer is sung at 
the reception of the weekly offerings. 

The consciousness on the part of the choir that it has 
promoted true worship in song, and the consciousness on 
the part of the congregation that it is being led by those 
whose hearts are responsive to the words sung, have con- 
stantly tended to raise the musical part of the public 
service to its proper place among the forms of worship. 
Now the congregation listens to the singing, when it does 
not itself participate vocally, and feels that the song 
speaks the united prayer and praise of all the worshipers. 
It may be added that the improvement in the Sunday 
singing, consequent, partly, upon the stated rehearsals, has 
made itself felt in all the other public meetings of the 
church. 

The experiment in this particular church was simplified, 
perhaps made possible, because there was no choir to be 



2o6 IVaj/s and Means, 

reorganized or displaced. The field was open. It was 
entered by Christian endeavor in the name of the Lord. 
It is being cultivated in the service of Christ. 



TEMPERANCE. 

WORK OF THE TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE. 
From a Paper read at the Chicago Convention, by Rev. J C. Cromer. 

At its last convention, our society put itself on record 
for temperance in the following words : " Whereas^ the 
evils of intemperance are the most momentous and gigan- 
tic that now impede our work among young men, there- 
fore. Resolved : That we express ourselves as intensely 
opposed to this evil, and pledge our labors and our prayers 
to its banishment from among us." These are noble, 
strong words. They at once set our faces against the foe. 
They put prayers into our hearts, and weapons into our 
hands, and send us out, thus equipped, to do valiantly for 
humanity. It perhaps remains only for me to indicate a 
few doors of usefulness that stand open before us ; to point 
out a few elements of power that belong to us as a Young 
People's Society of Christian Endeavor. 

First, then, we are strong for this work on behalf of 
humanity, because we are Christian. Let it be accepted 
at once that we cannot do the work of a regularly organ- 
ized temperance society. This exists for temperance 
alone. But cannot we do a work for temperance which 
such a society cannot accomplish ? Have we not a van- 
tage-ground of power which it does not possess ? \\'e are 
distinctively a Christian body. Whatever we do for 
temperance will be winged with the love of Christ for men. 
It will have these two characteristics, the vision of Christ 
in Its methods, and the power of Christ in its performance. 

Again, we are strong for this work for humanity because 



Waj^s and Means. 207 

we are young. Being young, we have a position of power, 
because we stand just where we can fight hand to liand 
with the enemy. I need not here state what we all know 
to be true, that the great majority of the recruits to the 
ranks of intemperance comes from the young, and that the 
most efficient work for temperance can be done among 
young men. For an old man, the chances for reformation 
have decreased inversely as the square of the distance 
that he has come down in life. In young manhood char- 
acter is forming, habits are beginning, streams are starting 
from their sources. Now think of these three hundred 
and twenty-five thousand Christian endeavorers through- 
out the world. They stand as young men among young 
men — aye, as young women among young men, with 
power imperial. Fired with zeal and love for Christ, with 
hands ready and willing, and with hearts full of sympathy 
for their fellows, who shall be able to set bounds to their 
power and influence in staying the tides of intemperance 
just here where they begin to flow .'' 

To do this work successfully, much depends upon a 
wide-awake, efficient temperance committee. First of all, 
by pledge or otherwise, the committee should bring the 
society itself to the position of total abstinence; for to 
stand in any other position will be to lose the very crown 
of its glory and power. Afterward, plans and methods of 
work which will reach out to the world can be devised. 
The saloon should be equalled, if possible surpassed, for 
social attractions. Individual young men should be prayed 
for and gone after. At times the whole thought, prayer 
and endeavor of the society should be directed, for weeks 
and months, toward some one young man, until he is 
brought in and saved. 

But does some one remark that this work is necessarily 
slow and hopeless? That while one is snatched as a 
brand from the burning, hundreds are being caught of the 
fire? Then we reply that, so long as our banner floats on 



2o8 IVaj/s and Means. 

the breezes, bearing the inscription, " For Christ and the 
church," we can undertake none other than this practical, 
Christian temperance work; that for these talents, distinct- 
ively and peculiarly our own, we shall be held accountable 
in the end ; and that, for hopefulness and promise in the 
future, we shall find, in their use and development, that 
the darkest skies above us will be streaked through with 
light, because of Him whose are the eternal years of God, 
and who has said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto 
the end of the world." 

THE TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE. 

BY SIGMA. 

The temperance committee of our Christian Endeavor 
Society, West Haven, Conn., has been trying to evolve 
something practicable and efficient along its particular 
line. In addition to the circulation of literature and con- 
ducting an occasional meeting in the interests of temper- 
ance, the members have now drawn up a form of triple 
pledge which I wish to submit both as to form and as to 
the advisability of pledges of this kind in the society. 
This will be likely to call out the temperance work of the 
societies, and of the temperance committee in particular. 

The form submitted by our committee is this: 

(i) I promise that I will not use as a beverage any- 
thing that intoxicates, including malt liquors and cider. 

(2) I promise to abstain from all profanity. 

(3) I promise to refrain from the use of tobacco in any 
form, until I have passed the age of twenty-five. 

Should I from any temptation break my pledge, I will 
still consider it binding upon me, and, seeking strength 
from my Heavenly Father, will strive to keep it afterward. 

It is the plan of the committee to have a permanent 
enrollment book, and to solicit signatures from all sources, 



Wajys and Means. 209 

outside as well as inside the membership. The time limit 
in the third was inserted, as I understand, from a convic- 
tion that many boys would be likely to sign some such 
pledge with reference to tobacco, who would not sign an 
obsolute pledge; and that if they would abstain until 
twenty-five they would not be likely to fall into the tobacco 
habit ; at least, they would fall with their eyes open. This 
time limit suggests that the use of tobacco is not to be 
considered as a sin per se, as profanity and drunkenness 
are, but that each one must answer to his own conscience, 
as to cost, effect on health, etc. It will be conceded, with- 
out debate, that the tobacco habit, when formed at all, is 
generally formed by boys in their teens, or even before; 
as likewise that remnant of old-time barbarism, now hap- 
pily becoming obsolete, the ear mutilation of our girls for 
purposes of jewelry. Personally, I have never known a 
young man over twenty-five falling into the tobacco habit, 
nor a girl out of her teens having her ears pierced. And 
for that matter, the habit of drinking and profanity take 
root, generally, if at all, in early years. 



MISSIONAR Y, 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR AND MISSIONS. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

If there is any one thing which appeals to the heart of 
every true Christian endeavorer it must be the work of 
missions at home and abroad. This is only saying that 
the true Christian is always a missionary. He may not go 
to Africa or to New Mexico, but the moment he becomes 
a Christian he must receive -mto his heart the same spirit 
that sent Judson and Carey and Patteson on their mis- 
sions. A hundred years ago a celebrated Roman Catholic 
historian taunted the Protestants with the fact that theirs 



2 I O Waj^s and Means. 

was not a missionary religion, and predicted the speedy 
overthrow of Protestantism on that account. 

To-day, thank God, that taunt is no longer true, and it 
is a wonderful fact that during the four-score years since 
Protestantism sent out its first missionary, it has gained 
more in numbers, wealth and influence than during all the 
previous centuries of its life. 

If our society lives and grows, as we all hope and pray 
that it may, it will be because it has within it the real 
missionary spirit. Every committee is a missionary com- 
mittee — the lookout, and the prayer-meeting, and the 
social, and the temperance, and the good literature, and the 
Sunday School committees, no less than the so-called 
missionary committee. They have different branches of 
missionary work to be carried on; but the very same spirit 
should pervade the committee that provides flowers for the 
pulpit, or brings new members into the Sunday School, or 
calls on a new family, that should animate the committee 
that provides the missionary meeting and seeks to interest 
the members in foreign missionary matters. 

THE MISSIONARY UPRISING. 

It is a significant fact that soon after the Society of 
Christian Endeavor began to make itself felt as a power 
among the young people of the land, a remarkable mis- 
sionary uprising also became evident among the young 
people. Through the eloquent words of Mr. Wilder and 
those associated with him, the work has gained force, 
until we read with amazement of two thousand young men 
and women in our schools who are ready to pledge them- 
selves to mission work abroad. Now let all the four 
hundred thousand active members of our Christian 
Endeavor societies pledge themselves to mission work at 
home or abroad as God shall call them, not waiting to 
begin their missionary labors until they get to India or out 
on our own frontier, but beginning it with their next 
neighbors and widening their sympathies until they learn 



IVufs a7id Means. 21 1 

the lesson Christ came to teach, that all the peoples of the 
world are our neighbors. 

BE INTELLIGENT ABOUT MISSIONS. 

But, speaking of missions, either home or foreign, the 
great reason why so few people care much about missions 
is, that so few know much about them. No one can 
become interested in a subject of which he is ignorant, 
and our interest in missionary work will be just in pro- 
portion to our knowledge of it. There are excellent mis- 
sionary periodicals published by all the denominational 
boards. If you are a Presbyterian, read carefully The 
Church at Home and Abroad ; if a Methodist, The Gospel 
i7i All Lands ^ The Heathen Woman's Friend; if a Baptist, 
The Baptist Missionary Magazine., The Baptist Home Mis- 
sion Monthly; if a Congregationalist, the Missiottary 
Herald, Life and Light., the Home MissioJiary and the 
American Missionary. In fact, read your denominational 
missionary magazine. Money cannot be expended better 
than in subscribing for one or more of these periodicals 
that represent the missionary work of your own church. 
There, too, is the capital Missionary Review of the World., 
and others of like nature, which give a wider view of mis- 
sions in all denominations. Few people have any idea of 
the amount and value of missionary literature : books, 
pamphlets, leaflets, etc. Write to the denominational mis- 
sionary headquarters and you can find out what is pub- 
lished and get the literature at very low rates. 

GIVE. 

Another requisite to a genuine interest in missions is a 
benevolent interest, as well as an intelligent interest, in 
them. We are likely to follow with our prayers and with 
our affectionate interest any cause or person to whom we 
give our money. The same principle applies as in the 
prayer-meeting. If we take part in it, we are interested in 
it and we say to each other as we go out, " What a good 



2 12 . Waj^s a7id Means. 

meeting we did have to-night ! " So if we have part in 
sending the gospel to the heathen at home or abroad, and 
give our own hard-earned dollars or dimes for this purpose, 
we cannot well help being interested, and we shall follow 
the money with our prayers. As I have said before, I 
hope it will not be long before every Christian endeavor 
society, where the church approves, will raise some money 
every year through the envelope method, for missionary 
purposes. By this method, money is given deliberately 
and conscientiously and not simply in response to an 
appeal to the emotions, and we can educate in our soci- 
eties whole generations of future givers. 

GIVE TO A DEFINITE OBJECT. 

I think many societies might wisely assume some 
definite object of benevolence ; for instance, to support a 
native teacher in Turkey, or to build a schoolhouse in 
India, or to support a colored student in Georgia, or to 
help build a home missionary parsonage in the West. Get 
into correspondence with those to whom the money goes ; 
consider them your missionaries, or your students, or your 
missionary helpers, and the joy and interest in giving will 
be increased fourfold. Our missionary boards always 
have special objects of this sort which they are glad to 
have you help, and concerning which they will give you all 
necessary information. 

The United Society does not receive money for these 
missionary objects ; it should be sent directly to the proper 
board and designated for the special use to which it is 
designed. Pastors and church committees will give all 
necessary advice in this matter. May the contributions 
be liberal and may a great blessing go with them and a 
great blessing come back to all who give ! 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 



Waj/s and Means. 213 

HOW TO GIVE. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

We expect that our societies will be training schools in 
Christian liberality as well as in all other graces. It is 
worth quite as much to the Christian to know how to give 
as how to speak or pray in public. Many Christians, I 
believe, grow up grasping and penurious, simply because 
they have not learned how to give ; their education in this 
direction has been neglected. 

Now the essential things in cultivating the spirit of 
benevolence are warm hearts, information concerning the 
world's needs, and some systematic and regular method of 
contributing to those needs. I can take for granted the 
warm, generous hearts. Few young Christians who have 
had their hearts touched by the love of God are not ready 
to listen to the world's appeal, but they too seldom hear 
it. They get little time to read; they have not as yet 
found out how thrillingly interesting is the appeal for the 
world's evangelization. Here is the province of the mis- 
sionary committee and the missionary meeting of our soci- 
ety. Such meetings should be held regularly at least once 
a quarter. They can be and should be made of the deep- 
est interest. 

A SYSTEMATIC PLAN. 

The remaining element in cultivating the gift of benev- 
olence is some systematic and regular plan of giving. I 
know of no better plan, in fact none so good as the weekly 
envelope plan. I have tried it in the two churches of 
which I have been pastor, and have found it in every way 
admirable if properly kept before the people, and if the 
interest in the cause of missions is not allowed to flag. 

WHAT PASTORS SAY. 

I have recently, for a special purpose, sought the testi- 
mony of hundreds of pastors who have tried this plan, and 
in nine cases out of ten they speak favorably, most of 



2 14 Waj^s and Means. 

them enthusiastically, of it. It can be used in raising 
money for necessary expenses and for home and foriegn 
missions. Many of your churches already use this plan, 
and you can subscribe something every week upon the 
regular church card, and you can use it also in your society 
if you desire. The United Society prepares envelopes and 
also the following benevolent pledge-card, to be used for 
these systematic offerings : 

MONTHLY OFFERING. 

Young People's Society of Christia7i Endeavor. 

I hereby pledge myself to contribute Monthly for one year, from 

the sum marked below ; the payment to be made at such 

times as the Society shall decide. 

Ic. 2c. 3c. 4c. 5c. 6c. 7c. 8c. 9c. 10c. 25c. 50c. 

Naine^ 

(This pledge being voluntary, may be withdrawn at any time by 
notifying the Treasurer.) 

Mr. R. P. Wilder, whose addresses have thrilled so many 
hearts, sends a similar plan of systematic giving, and writes : 

''The 'Plan' can be used by any denomination. It 
does not interfere with existing missionary agencies. The 
money raised is to be sent to the Board of foreign missions 
with which the society is connected. If each Endeavor 
society would support a missionary according to the 
enclosed ' Plan,' our church boards would be in no lack of 
funds for foreign service." 

Here is the plan, and an admirable one it is : 

I. An opportunity will be given to all who so desire to 
subscribe to the -following pledge : 

" I promise to give % . . . and . . . cents each week dur- 
ing a period of five years from date, toward the support of 
a missionary in the foreign field, this sum to be over 
and above my present offerings to the cause of foreign 
missions."* 

'*'rhis pledge is not legally binding. 



J/Vaj/s a7td Means. 215 

(Instead of weekly payments, quarterly or yearly pay- 
ments may be made if so desired.) 

2. The weekly offerings shall be placed in envelopes 
furnished by the church treasurer to those who subscribe 
to the pledge, and these envelopes shall be collected on 
each Sabbath in connection with the usual collection. 

3. It is suggested that a committee be appointed by 
the church to assist the treasurer in the work of collection 
and in obtaining new subscriptions. 

4. If the amount pledged in any church is sufficient 
for the annual support of one or of several missionaries, 
that church shall report to the foreign board with which 
it is connected, that such a sum has been pledged for five 
years, and request that the board appoint one or m.ore 
missionaries to represent that church in the foreign 
field. 

5. If the amount pledged in any church is more than 
sufficient for the support of one missionary, and not 
enough for the support of two, the surplus shall be sent to 
the foreign board to be applied to the cause of foreign 
missions in whatever way may be thought best. 

6. If the amount pledged in any church is insufficient 
for the support of a missionary, that church may unite with 
neighboring churches of the same denomination in the 
support of a representative. If this is impossible, the 
amount raised shall be forwarded to the Foreign Board 
to be used as the board may direct. 

7. This plan is to be so carried out as not to interfere 
in any way with existing missionary agencies, but with the 
hope and earnest prayer that it may result in larger con- 
tributions than have ever been made to the mission 
cause. 

I wish that all our societies might enter into some 
such effort, and that the missionary treasuries might be 
re-enforced by hundreds of thousands of dollars during the 
coming year. It is something for the missionary commit- 



2i6 Waj/s and Means. 

tees to consider carefully and prayerfully. If they do this, 
I believe they will also act energetically. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

SOME METHODS OF RAISING MONEY. 

The following hints from a valuable little tract by Mrs. 
Caswell, published by the American Home Missionary 
Society will be especially suggestive to young people : 

The Sabbath Penny, Nickel Or Dime. — Have a 
home missionary mite-box. As a part of your Sabbath 
morning worship, put into it, regularly, a penny or nickel 
or dime, with a piayer for the special object to which you 
contribute. If this offering is for your home missionary, 
you will ask God's blessing upon his labors for that 
day. 

The Sacrifice Gift. — Through some special self- 
denial you may be able to lay an extra offering at the feet 
of Jesus. How He loves such gifts ! 

Sabbath Eggs, etc. — In the country are those who 
have Sabbath eggs, Sabbath milk. Sabbath fruit, etc., turn- 
ing all such articles that come on the Sabbath into offer- 
ings for God. 

Gardens, etc. — There are missionary hens, gardens, 
apple-trees, rag-bags, berries, etc. 

Fancy Bags. — A young lady makes a couple of fancy 
bags exactly alike. Perhaps she embroiders the words, 
"Our Country," on one side. She keeps one and presents 
the other to a young gentleman friend. Each hangs the 
bag in a place where it will not be forgotten, and throws 
into it all loose change that can be spared. At an 
appointed time the two compare notes. By a little compe- 
tition, the missionary treasury is thus replenished. 

Investments. — We are familiar with penny invest- 
ments. With some the plan has reached the dollar. 



IVaj^s and Aleans. 2 I / 

They find that as one penny was made to yield two, so 
one dollar will double itself, and with careful management 
grow to five. 

THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY AND YOUNG 
PEOPLE'S MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS. 

BY MRS. JAMES L. HILL. 

Such facts as these have now been much observed, and 
are extremely suggestive : 

1. There is evidently among young people an enlarged 
desire for missionary intelligence. A librarian in the 
public library of one of the largest cities of Massachusetts 
said to a prominent Christian endeavor worker, "What 
is it that you have been doing to awake so much mission- 
ary inquiry among young people "i We have been obliged 
to add several missionary volumes to our library, and in 
some cases to obtain duplicate copies." An increased 
number of periodicals — and these are quick to detect 
what the religious public want — are supplying missionary 
information. 

2. Much of the incitement to missionary interest and 
effort among young people is from young people. Young 
hearts fire with enthusiasm other young hearts. Those 
who heard Mr. Wilder at recent Christian Endeavor State 
Conventions, and at the national gatherings as well, will 
understand what we mean. Yet such addresses are only 
indications. Proofs of this have accumulated without effort 
in such abundance and variety that they must be left to 
appear incidentally in these missionary columns as the 
weeks go by. 

3. The officers of existing missionary organizations 
may well become the missionary committee of the Young 
People's Society. Of what advantage is this.-* Much 
every way. It gives to the society a missionary flavor; 
and the society gives to the missionary work numbers and 



2 1 8 ' Ways and Means. 

momentum. Certain recent years of our society's growth 
have been pleasantly marked by the affiliation in work of 
these various organizations. In many churches there 
exist such organizations as Missionary Cadets, or Chips 
from the Old Block, or Fireflies, or Standard Bearers, or 
Seek and Save Circles. Let these have recognition, 
co-operation, aid. 

4. The society exists for forth-putting work in the 
extension of the kingdom. This is its whole pith and 
point. It is written into its very name by the use of the 
word "Endeavor." This is the particular thing that dis- 
tinguishes it from the ordinary prayer-meeting. That 
society that in unselfish devotion is not praying ''Thy 
kingdom come," and laboring and giving in accordance 
with its prayer, is recreant. Such a society has sad need 
of baptism into the missionary spirit. It does not see the 
unevangelized world as Christ viewed it. A society 
thrives best that prays and works for others as well as for 
its own self-centred prosperity. Young friends, lift up 
your eyes, and look on the fields ! 

5. Definiteness of form must be given to missionary 
work, if it is to enlist young people. A strong corre- 
spondent, whose labors in endeavor society circles have 
been conspicuously fruitful, writes to us, voicing the com- 
mon desire that our young people, in blocking out their 
work may have the guidance of those who, by reason of 
opportunity, have wider and riper experience. If we are 
to lay hold of work, the handle of it must be turned toward 
us. Another person expresses the same idea in homelike 
phrase, to the effect that missionary work given over to 
young people ought to be first "cut and basted." The sup- 
port of a dispensar}^, or Bible-reader, or missionary physi- 
cian, or even of an entire school, ought to be undertaken 
in conjunction with the other organizations of the local 
church. 

6. It is great unwisdom to assume any breach between 



Waj/s and Means. 2 1 9 

old and young in matters of missionary or other enterprise. 
Distinctions unrecognized fade. Charitable natures do 
not strain their eyes to discover such chasms. If in the 
past they have been talked into existence, cut off now their 
reason of being. The greatest effectiveness is secured 
where all the parts of a church come solidly together. A 
society of endeavor has no independent life. As it has 
relations, they must be recognized in all its work. Much 
that we would like to say is briefly comprehended in our 
society motto, " For Christ and the Chnrch." If we adopt 
this sentiment, it means labor in planting the church in 
new fields. It signifies, moreover, that we are " many 
members, yet but one body," and "that the member 
should have care one for another." 

FOR THE MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. 

Here is a hint for the missionary night which may help 
some committee to make its department more popular. 
As nothing is accomplished so well as when planned, let 
four members be chosen to report on some particular mis- 
sion field, say Japan, or upon work among the freedmen, or 
work in cities. Let each reporter appointed choose, or be 
given, the branch of the topic he will speak upon. Infor- 
mation upon the subject can be secured, if not at hand, by 
writing to the secretary of any missionary society. And 
as young people are wide-awake, they will, without doubt, 
find something in the newspapers, during the month, on 
their topic. Mission fields from the ends of the earth 
may be reviewed, but the home field should not be over- 
looked. It is astonishing how interest grows as one stud- 
ies a subject. Limit the reports, which should be spoken 
rather than read, to ten minutes ; and let each speaker 
secure his successor on penalty of substituting himself. 
The plan has been tried with increasing success at several 
missionary meetings. 



220 Waj/s and Means. 

MISSIONARY WORK. 

The society of the Green Hill Presbyterian Church, 
Philadelphia, has recently undertaken a novel form of mis- 
sionary work, which many of our city societies might 
profitably adopt. They employ a Bible reader to work in 
the immediate vicinity of the church. A special com- 
mittee has charge of this work, to which the reader reports 
the result of her work. 

The various committees supplement her work, the relief 
committee looking after cases of destitution, the Sunday 
School committee bringing the children to Sunday School, 
and the lookout committee issuing invitations to attend the 
church services. Already they have accomplished much 
good, and recommend this plan to other societies. This 
society has also given a scholarship in the Ramona Indian 
school at Santa Fe, New Mexico. 



HOW ONE MISSION CIRCLE WORKS. 

The secretary of a missionary circle in Boston recently 
sent out, a few days before the date of its meeting, letters 
to members and friends, reminding them of their causes 
for thankfulness and inviting them to join in its thank- 
oifering service. As a substitute for presence in person, 
if for any reason that should be impossible, they proposed 
the anonymous sending of the offering in an envelope 
enclosed for the purpose, and a reason for thankfulness, 
an appropriate verse of Scripture or any other expression 
of gratitude. Each letter closed with the appropriate quo- 
tation from Deut. xvi : lo : 

"Thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God according as 
the Lord thy God has blessed thee." 



Wafs and Means. 221 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE WORK 
OF THE MISSIONARY COMMITTEE. 

Question. What is the best method for raising funds ? 

Answer. The weekly or monthly envelope method. Let 
all who will, pledge one, two, five or ten cents each week 
or month, and all the money necessary will be raised and 
there will be a surplus for missionary purposes. 

Ques. What is the "Envelope" plan of raising money? 

A71S. Every one who enters into this plan agrees to 
give one, five, ten or twenty-five cents, or more, each week 
or month for a year, designating, if he desires, the objects 
for which his money should go. A package of envelopes 
is given each one who makes this pledge, the amount is 
deposited in the envelope each week or month and then 
placed in the contribution box when passed. 

Ques. Should not all the money of a Y. P. S. C. E. be 
held by the treasurer of the society, and not by the com- 
mittees who may have raised the money .<* 

Ans. Yes ; that is the duty of the treasurer. 

Ques. How can we have an interesting missionary 
meeting? 

Ans. Get full of missionary information and the mis- 
sionary spirit, and there will be no trouble about having a 
good meeting. The reason that some missionary meetings 
are poor is, that those who attend them know little and 
care less about missions. Let the missionary committee 
distribute information among the members. Then have 
them give it in their own words. Have an interesting mis- 
sionary story read. Let the prayers be specific and defin- 
ite for the missionaries and their work. Occasionally get 
a live missionary to address the society, if possible. The 
missionary boards of the different denominations will send 
leaflets, statistics, stories, etc., if desired. 



222 Ways and Means. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL, 

HINTS FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LIBRARY FUND. 

Among the many schemes of work for the Sunday- 
School committee that have been sent to us, this from 
Duluth, Minn,, seems to us one of the most practical. 
Rev. E. M. Noyes writes : 

"You may be interested in the way the Sunday School committee 
of the Y. P. S. C. E. looks after our Sunday 'School library fund. 
There are five members ; each has a little book containing the names 
of ten people in the congregation who have offered to give ten cents a 
month for this fund. Thus we have five dollars a month steadily 
coming into the library fund, and get one new book each Sunday. 
We mean never to have to 'raise money for a library' again. 
Nobody feels the trifle given ; it gives the Sunday School committee 
something definite and continual to do, aside from their other work ; 
it helps teach them in turn something of the value and choice of 
books, as they are interested in the selection." 

CO-OPERATION. 

An excellent method of securing the co-operation of the 
Y. P. S. C. E. and the Sunday School has been devised by 
the Presbyterian Society of Decatur, 111. The Sunday 
School committee of the society gave a six o'clock tea to 
the teachers and officers of the Sunday School, and dis- 
cussed the relation of the two organizations, and pledged 
mutual support. 

RESERVE TEACHERS. 

The Sunday School committee of the Second Parish 
Church of Portland, Me., has, for a part of its duties, to 
obtain a reserve corps of teachers who may be called upon 
by the superintendent, at any time, to take a class. They 
have twenty reserve teachers on their list. 

WORK FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

From the Sunday School committee of the Y. P. S. C. 



JVaj/s and Means. 223 

E., West Spruce Street Presbyterian Church, Philadel- 
phia, a circular and diagrams have been received, detail- 
ing a plan which that society has conceived for systema- 
tized work for the Sunday School, in outline as follows: To 
each member of the society a diagram is issued of a square 
of the city, which that member is expected to cover, going 
from house to house and ascertaining what children do not 
attend Sunday School, and to all such, sending cards on 
which are printed invitations to attend that of the Presby- 
terian Church. On the back of the diagrams are blanks 
to fill out, showing the result of the canvass. Once in two 
months the committee calls for special reports from the 
members. 



224 Waj/s and Means, 



PART XIIT. 

MISCELLANEOUS COMMITTEES. 

GOOD LITERATURE COMMITTEE. 

A unique feature of the Y. P. S. C. E, of Trinity M. E. 
Church of Charlestown, Mass., and one that we heartily 
recommend to the good literature committees of Christian 
Endeavor societies, is the ''Young Christian's Library." 
This consists of books selected with especial care for the 
development of Christian character and the upbuilding of 
Christian graces. On its shelves are found such books as 
"Holy Living and Dying," "Imitation of Christ," "Kept 
for the Master's Use," "The Christian's Secret of a Happy 
Life," "Natural Law in the Spiritual World," "Prince of 
the House of David," Geikie's and Farrar's Lives of 
Christ, and Sermons by Whitefield, Payson, Moody and 
Phillips Brooks. 

At present the library has about two hundred and fifty 
books, but of course this size has been reached gradually. 
No society need be discouraged from forming the nucleus 
of such a library if it has but one book. Begin, and 
others will soon be added. 

1. Let this committee gather up second-hand papers, 
magazines, books, etc., and distribute them where they will 
do the most good. 

2. Let it accumulate a Christian Endeavor Working 
Library, consisting of all the publications of the United 
Society. Let it pass this collection along, from term to 
term, holding it for reference by officers, committees, and 
Christian workers generally. Procure and keep, if pos- 



Waj/s and Means. 225 

sible, a complete file of The Golden Rule. It is of the 
greatest possible value for its working hints. 

3. Let this committee interest itself in securing denom- 
inational papers, missionary magazines, and other religious 
periodicals of which the Church and pastor may approve. 
If possible see that a good religious paper gets into every 
family. 

4. If the society is able, let the committee order papers 
of various kinds to be sent directly from the offices of pub- 
lication to worthy persons. A dollar or two may often 
help greatly to brighten the home of an invalid for a year. 
Raise a Literature Fund by a concert, lecture, festival, or 
something of the sort. 

THE "OMNIBUS COMMITTEE." 

BY W. L. AMERMAN. 

Our standing committees all hold their regular monthly 
meeting after the Monday night prayer-meeting the week 
before the monthly business-meeting of the society, and we 
have been trying to utilize the energies of the remainder of 
the members by calling them together for an "omnibus 
committee " meeting at the same hour. The president 
takes the chair and a free discussion of some phase of our 
work follows ; e. g., " Good Features in To-night's Meet- 
ing," " How We can Improve Our Prayer-meeting," " How 
to Prepare for the Meeting," " How We can Supplement the 
Social Committee's Work," etc. Great pains are taken to 
interest and draw out newcomers and less experienced 
members. A temporary secretary makes careful notes of 
each point, reading them before adjournment, and some- 
times presenting them at the monthly business-meeting in 
the shape of a committee report. Special care is used that 
the suggestions take definite form, indicating clearly what 
service the members present may render, and at sub- 
sequent meetings a report on such work is called for. 



226 Waj/s and Means. 

CALLING AND FLOWER COMMITTEE. 

BY H. HOWARD PEPPER. 

The society of the Cranston Street Baptist Church, of 
Providence, R. I., has adopted the following method for 
finding out who are sick : In the rear of the church hangs 
a neat box upon which is a rack containing cards reading 
as follows : 

Any one knowing of the sickness of any member of the Church, 
Sunday School or Y. P. S. C. E., will please fill out this card and 
drop it into the box. 

Notice. — If the name is on the " Reported List," which hangs above 
the box, do not fill out a card unless you know that the case has not 
received attention. 

After filling out the card, write the name of the sick person upon 
the " Reported List." 

NaTue 

Residence 

Disease 

Remarks 

The size of this card is 4 x 5 inches. 
The " Reported List" card is 41-2x8 inches, and reads 
as follows : 

REPORTED LIST. 
Calling and Flower Committee. 

The following persons are reported sick. 
Natne. Remarks. 

The committee collect the cards after service, call upon 
the sick, or send to them fruit or flowers, with the attract- 
ive card issued by the United Society Christian Endeavor. 



^Vaj/s ajid Means. 22'j 

PASTOR'S COMMITTEE. 

Another committee is suggested to us by Rev. E. R. 
j^oomis, pastor of the first Congregational Church of Walla 
Walla, Washington. This, though not exactly a new idea, 
is new in name, we believe, and worthy of thoughtful con- 
sideration. We hear from him : 

" Recently I read a communication from Rev. C. H. 
Smith, advocating Pastors' Informers in the Y. P. S. C. E. 
His idea has been carried out in our own society for several 
months past, but under a different, possibly a better, name, 
viz. : Pastor's Committee. This was added to the usual 
list at the beginning of the year. The officers of the 
society, with the chairmen of the committees, are its mem- 
bers. They meet at my call, and through them it is easy 
to find out about the workings of the whole society. Every 
pastor should have this body-guard of young people about 
him. This same committee plans for the open meetings of 
the society, which take the place of the evening services 
once in two months. By all means let every Y. P. S. C. E. 
have its Pastor's Committee." 



MESSENGER COMMITTEE. 

To meet the needs of a society in Chicago, this new 
committee was introduced, and most appropriately, we 
think. Mr. Otto C. Bruhlman writes: "They have put the 
very young men on this committee and also the very 
young ladies. Their work is to run errands and deliver 
messages for any of the committees or officers. This pro- 
vides work for the associate members." 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR CLASSES. 

The Y. P. S. C. E. of the Lafayette Square Presbyterian 
Church of Baltimore has added to its work a unique feat- 
ure in the form of various educational classes. Last fall a 
committee of five was appointed to arrange for classes in 



22 8 Ways and Means. 

telegraphy, phonography, calisthenics and drawing. These 
classes were formed and have proved a valuable addition 
to the purely religious work of the society. Short lectures 
on hygiene and physiology are also given under the 
auspices of the society. This seems to us a valuable sug- 
gestion for societies in city churches. Most city pastors 
are anxious to extend their work, and would, we have no 
doubt, be glad to know that their young people were will- 
ing, under pastoral guidance, of course, to attend such 
educational work. 



FOR THE HOTEL COMMITTEES. 

These committees are gaining favor in the societies of 
so many city churches, that we give for their benefit the 
following invitation sent each Saturday evening to the 
guests at the various hotels in St. Louis by the Y. P. S. C. 
E. of the Second Presbyterian Church, Rev. S. J. Niccolls, 
D. D., pastor : 

Dear Sir : During your stay in the city, we should be pleased to 
see you at any of the meetings of our church, mentioned below, 
especially at the young people's meeting and Sabbath School, where we 
make special effort to bid strangers welcome. Services on the 
Sabbath are: 9.30 A. M., Sabbath School; 11 A. M. morning 
service; 7.45 P. M., evening service. 

Services during the week are : 

1. Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, every Monday at 
8 P. M. in the lecture-room. 

2. Weekly prayer-meeting on Wednesday at 7.45 P. M. in the 
lecture-room. 

Hoping to see you, with as many of your friends as will come, and 
assuring you of a cordial welcome, 

We are, yours very truly, 

Welcoming Committee, 
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Second Presbyterian 
Church. 



IVaj/s a7id Means. 229 

N. B. — Please present this at the door and the usher will be 
pleased to show you to a seat. 

On the reverse is a plan of the city, showing the position 
of the various hotels, the Second Presbyterian Church and 
the Y. M. C. A. building. 



230 Waj/s and Means. 



PART XIV. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

A CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR PARLOR FOR YOUNG 
MEN AND BOYS. 

All such efforts as those described b'elow are movements 
in the right direction. We are glad to record and com- 
mend them. We will let an enterprising society tell its 
own story. Here is the statement it sent out : 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of 
the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg, N. J., has been 
deeply impressed with the following facts: While their 
work has been greatly blessed of God in the upbuilding of 
their own souls " in the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord," their influence upon the masses has been but 
slight. Their meetings are well attended, but largely by 
their own members. Surprised, upon reflection at the 
large number in the community, especially of the young 
men and boys, who are wholly indifferent to religious 
matters, and aroused by the Master's words, "Why stand 
ye here all the day idle," they have resolved to push for- 
ward. They accordingly ask your careful consideration of 
the following plan : They intend to open a Young People's 
Society of Christian Endeavor parlor for young men and 
boys. This room shall be open each evening, Sundays 
excepted, from 6.30 to 9 o'clock. Any one will be 
admitted to the privileges of the parlor who shall present 
each evening a ticket of admission which shall be furnished 
free, by the parlor committee. This parlor committee 
shall consist of fifteen members, and shall be appointed by 
the society at its regular business-meetings in March and 
September. Three members of the society shall be 
appointed by the parlor committee to take charge of the 
parlor on certain designated evenings. 



Waj/s and Means. 231 

The privileges of the parlor may be summed up as 
follows : 

(i) Reading-room, where the leading daily and weekly 
papers and magazines shall be distributed. On Sabbath, 
only religious papers and Hterature. 

(2) For the boys, a variety of games will be on hand 
for their use each evening. These games shall be inno- 
cent and instructive, subject always to the approval of the 
parlor committee. 

(3) A singing class, which will teach not only familiar 
gospel songs, but national and popular airs. 

(4) An evening of entertainment, consisting of read- 
ings, recitations, dialogues, music, etc. 

(5) A library containing suitable books for our youths. 
This shall be open each evening for use in the room, and 
on Saturday evenings for the loan of books. 

(6) To cultivate a literary taste, a paper shall be pub- 
lished by the parlor members, once a fortnight, which 
shall be edited by those of the parlor members, under the 
supervision of the committee for that evening. This shall 
consist of original articles, newspaper clippings, local jot- 
tings, etc., and shall be read before the parlor members on 
the second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month. 

(7) To all who may wish to avail themselves of it, a 
savings system shall be arranged by which small deposits 
may be made from time to time, and when a sufficient sum 
is reached, it will be deposited in a suitable savings-bank, 
there to accrue interest to the profit of each individual 
depositor. 

Besides these privileges of the week, the parlor will be 
thrown open to all men and boys on Sunday afternoon at 
four o'clock for a brief evangelistic service. 

This parlor has already been opened under most favor- 
able auspices. Rev. B. S. Everett, pastor of the James- 
burg Church, and Mr. F. B. Everett, secretary of the New 
Jersey Christian Endeavor Union, are prominent in this 
new enterprise. 



232 Ways and Means. 

AN INVITATION. 

A very pleasing invitation to society nmembership has 
been received. On one side of a card is printed : " You 
are invited to the Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor," together with the name and address of the 
church with which it is connected; on the other, the 
reasons for desiring the attendance of those to whom it is 
sent, as follows : 

We need YoU 

We need your T RAYERS 

We need your OYMPATHY 

We need your C-OUNSEL 

We need your t ARNEST work. 

FOR YOUNG SOCIETIES. 

The Society of the First Presbyterian Church of St. 
Joseph, Mo., recently held an unusually interesting and 
beneficial conference-meeting. Thinking that the plan 
might be of use to other societies, the president, Mr. 
James Canfield, has kindly sent a report of the meeting 
for our use. As the society is young, the committees 
have experienced some difficulty in doing their work 
promptly, sympathetically and effectively. Accordingly, 
the whole society was invited to the home of one of the 
members, for the purpose (to quote the invitation) ''of 
consulting together in regard to practical plans for imme- 
diate work in our committees and to enable all to become 
better acquainted with what is expected of us as individual 
workers." The subjects for conference were suggested as 
follows : 

I. How to work on a definite line to accomplish some 
definite aim.? 



Wajys and Means. 233 

2. How can we be made to feel more personal respon- 
sibility in the prosperity of the society ? 

3. The pledge — do I understand it? How can I suc- 
cessfully fulfill it ? 

4. How keep in mind that the spiritual work of the 
society is always paramount ? 

5. How best promote social feeling in both our society 
and church? 

6. How feel more responsibility as a member of the 
committee for the work of that committee ? 

7. How interest in the Master's work young people of 
church and congregation who are not members of our 
society ? 

8. How can we be of more help to our pastor? 

9. How can we add to the members and interest in 
the Sunday School ? 

10. Why not consult with our pastor regarding the 
work of the society ? 

11. How best use our musical talent? 

12. How make our business and social meetings more 
of a success ? 

13. How "Be instant in season — out of season?" 

Two hours were spent in earnest conversation, the chair- 
man presentinn the needs of the various committees and 
their plans for the coming months. Much help was 
afforded by the free discussion, and the idea of personal 
responsibility was made especially prominent. Light 
refreshments were served during the evening. We are 
glad to recommend this plan to all new societies. The 
mutual help thus afforded will prove invaluable for effect- 
ive work. 

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN SOCIETIES. 

From a friend in Baraboo, Wis., we have received the 
details of a plan for correspondence between the societies 



234 Ways and Means. 

of a district or State. The letters should contain reports 
of successful committee work, approved methods of con- 
ducting socials, accounts of interesting meetings, and any 
news that would tend to stimulate a Christian fellowship 
between societies. The letters should be written by 
the corresponding secretaries once a month, and those 
received should be read at the regular meetings of the 
societies. The first month, secretary No. i would write to 
secretary No. 2, No. 2 to No. 3, etc. The next month, 
No. I would write to No. 3, No. 2 to No. 4, etc. In this 
way letters would be received from different societies each 
month, and new and valuable hints would be constantly 
exchanged. In order to assist the secretary in making up 
his letter, the written monthly reports of the committees 
should be given to him for reference. 



SAVING TIME. 

Many societies which suffer from a temporary paralysis 
of activity, just after each election of officers, will be glad 
to know of the plan followed by the First Presbyterian Y. 
P. S. C. E. of Bath, N. Y. 

This society holds its election two weeks before the 
expiration of the term of office, thus allowing time for the 
organization of new committees, while the old ones are 
doing active service. In this way they save nearly a 
month, which has previously been used in organization 
and trial work. 

A GOOD WORD FOR THE BADGE. 

A friend in Elgin, III, sends this hearty recommenda- 
tion of the custom of wearing the C. E. badge : 

" I have been wearing one for nearly two years, and I 
have found it useful and gratifying many times; useful in 
the way of stimulating to constant watchfulness, as it is 



Ways and Means. 235 

always a silent reminder of the pledge; gratifying, as on 
several occasions, when in Chicago and elsewhere, I have 
been recognized there-by as a Christian Endeavorer, and 
pleasant and profitable acquaintances have followed." 

This testimony is echoed by many others who have 
gained like advantages from the little gold or silver 
emblem. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR ANNIVERSARIES. 

A friend who has recently attended many anniversaries 
and union meetings has sent us the following suggestions, 
evidently borne in upon him by experience : 

Firsts It is better to have the meeting in a small room 
that is full, or nearly so, than in a large room or church 
auditorium where the number is just sufficient to give a 
scattered, unsocial appearance. 

Second^ The leaders of the meeting, and all delegates 
who are to speak, should be impressed with the neces- 
sity of speaking so that they can be heard. As a rule, the 
speaking delegate cannot be heard over twenty-five feet 
away, and the exercises become simply a pantomime of 
an exasperating character. 

HOTEL INVITATIONS. 

A friend who recently spent a Sunday in Waterville, 
Me., has sent us an invitation which he received shortly 
after his arrival at the hotel, on Saturday evening. The 
hotel furnishes the society a list of the persons who are to 
be in town over Sunday, and each guest receives an invita- 
tion like the following : 

Dear Friend: You are cordially invited to attend the services at 
the Methodist Episcopal Church on Pleasant Street, near Center, on 
Sunday, , Rev. H. Clifford, pastor. 



236 Wajys and Means. 

Preaching service at 1.30 A. M. ; subject: . Sunday 

School at 12 M.; prayer-meeting of the Y. P. S. C. E. at 5.45 P. M.; 

subject: , preceded by a song service of fifteen minutes; 

church prayer-meeting at 7 P. M. Come. 

Fraternally yours, 

Pleasant Street Y. P. S. C. E. 



A CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SAVINGS BANK. 

The Y. P. S. C. E. of the Congregational Church of 
Saugerties, N. Y., has recently added a novel annex, in 
the shape of a savings bank. The deposits are received 
after the regular Wednesday evening meeting and can be 
made only by members of the society. A merchant, who is 
a friend of the society, pays six per cent, interest on depos- 
its which have been in the bank for a year. The enter- 
prise has been very successful in inducing the younger 
members of the society to save their money; some of the 
boys deposited as much as five dollars within the first 
three months. Certainly anything that teaches lessons of 
frugality and economy to young people is well worth 
trying, 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS. 

Question. What is the so-called "Christian Endeavor 
benediction " ? 

Answer. The old "Mizpah" benediction of Gen. xxxi: 
49 — '' The Lord watch between me and thee when we are 
absent one from another." This was used first at the 
second Saratoga Convention, seemed particularly appropri- 
ate, and has been adopted by many societies. The mem- 
bers often unite in repeating this at the close of their 
meeting, and thus invoke a blessing upon each other. 

Ques. How would you arrange for anniversary exer- 
cises which shall interest young Christians who are not 
yet members of the society, and others who, though mem- 
bers, do not appreciate its value "i 



Ways and Mca7is. 237 

A71S. Every society must exercise its own ingenuity in 
regard to such a matter. Be inventive, enterprising, wide- 
awake, and you will have an interesting anniversary. Per- 
haps you can get a good speaker to address the society on 
the principles of the organization. Don't get some one, 
however, who will pretend to give a Christian Endeavor 
address, and will then talk on the Hegelian Philosophy or 
on Witchcraft or the Sin of Ananias. Sometimes the best 
way is to have a quiet anniversary, employing only 
home talent. Have two or three bright, spicy essays or 
addresses on the essential features of the society; the 
prayer-meeting pledge, the consecration meeting, the com- 
mittee work. Show how reasonable and hopeful such 
work is, and arouse the -enthusiasm of all to engage in it. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR SUMMER MISSIONARY WORK. 

The following valuable hints for summer work are 
printed by a hectograph process, and sent out by one of 
our societies : 

Wherever you go, bear "The Standard." 

How? 

Firsts Be present at the local prayer-meeting. 

Seco?id, Attend the Sabbath School, either as a scholar 
or teacher, not simply a looker-on. Take your "lesson 
helps " along, and study as at home. 

Third, Take a supply of religious literature — books, 
tracts or papers ; the latter, even if back numbers, may be 
new and acceptable to persons you may meet. Take your 
singing-books, also. 

Fourth, If scholar, write to your Sunday School teacher, 
or, if teacher, write to your Sunday School scholars, during 
your absence, once, at least. 

Fifth, Come back prepared to give some account of 
your summer's work at our first missionary-meeting in the 
fall. 



238 Waj/s and Means. 

NEWSPAPER EXCHANGE. 

From Rev. A. F. Newton, of Marlboro', Mass., we have 
received the following suggestion, which may be useful to 
other societies : 

"We find it a success. Several months ago our Young 
People's Society of Christian Endeavor chose a newspaper 
committee. A table was purchased and placed in a con- 
venient place in the vestibule of the church. Over the 
table was hung a large card, on which was printed the 
following : 

NEWSPAPER EXCHANGE. 

Members of the congregation are requested to contribute papers to 
this table, and also to take away any paper they may wish for them- 
selves or others. Please use this exchange generously. 

Newspaper Committee Y. P. S. C. E. 

"We announced from the pulpit the facts about the 
Newspaper Exchange, and occasionally call attention to it. 
After reading them, the people bring their religious papers 
and magazines quite freely and carry away others. We 
send papers to new families, and in this way spread 
hundreds of pages of Christian reading matter where they 
will do much good. Let there be a Newspaper Exchange 
in every church." 

A PRAYER-CIRCLE CARD. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of 
the North Church, Springfield, Mass., for the purpose of 
aiding each other and of bringing souls to the knowledge 
of Christ, have organized a prayer-circle, and, by the use of 
the following card, they make the prayer regular and 
systematic : 



Ways and Means. 239 

"FOR YOU I AM PRAYING." 

THE PRA YER CIRCLE, 

Formed i8 . . . . 

NAMES. DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. 

Sunday 

Monday 

.• Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Friday 

Saturday 

Each member of the circle has his day of remem- 
brance when all others will pray for him. The first 
person named will act as secretary and see that each 
member and the pastor has a correct list. The pastor 
asks a special blessing on the day of the weekly meeting 
and Sunday. Keep this card where it will be seen daily. 
John xvii : 2 1. 

On the back of the card are printed directions and 
explanations : 

" Select a name for your circle and write it in the space 
at the top of the card. Seven members compose a circle, 
A monthly meeting of the seven,* for social prayer, will 
prove helpful." 

The card was prepared for the society by Rev. F. Bar- 
rows Makepeace, is copyrighted, and may be obtained, 
postpaid, of Robert F. Warren, 72 Pearl Street, Spring- 
field, Mass., at the following prices : Single set, eight 
cards, 15 cents; ten sets, or more, per set, 12 cents. 

A MONTHLY CONFERENCE. 

A friend in Scranton, Penn., sends word of a conference 
meeting that has proved of much benefit wherever tried. 
Once a month, the officers and committees of the society 
meet with the pastor for prayer and consultation. God's 



240 Waj/s and Means. 

especial blessing is asked for the work of the society, the 
committees hold short meetings, and then all together dis- 
cuss with the pastor new methods of work. 



SOCIETY VISITATION. 

Many societies feel the lack of acquaintance with soci- 
eties in their immediate neighborhood. The local unions 
somewhat obviate this difficulty, but as they hold but four 
or five public meetings each year, personal intercourse 
between members of the different societies is plainly 
impracticable. The executive committee of the Christian 
Endeavor Union of Dayton, Ohio, has devised the follow- 
ing plan of society visitation : 

Each society sends two members to visit the other soci- 
eties in regular weekly order, the first two going one week 
to visit one society, the second two the next week to visit 
another, and so on. These visitors take some part in the 
meeting they attend, announcing the name of the society 
from which they come, and offering words of encourage- 
ment as they may be able. On returning to their own 
society, at its next meeting, they give brief reports of their 
visit, being careful to mention any new idea that was 
gained. When the round of societies has been completed, 
the list is to be gone over again with new visitors. In 
this way, every society will soon be visited by every other 
one. The amount of good which will be done by such a 
commingling of Christians cannot be estimated. It will 
put all into possession of what is enjoyed by all the rest. 



IVaj'S and Means. 241 



PART XV. 

BUSINESS MEETINGS. 

A FAMILIAR LETTER 
From the President of the United Society. 

The business meetings of our Society have not received 
the attention which they should receive, I think. Some- 
times they have been given the go-by altogether, at other 
times there has been altogether too much of them. 

WORK ON BUSINESS PRINCIPLES. 

It is needless to say that our Christian Endeavor work 
should be done on business principles. More and more 
it is coming to be seen that the business affairs of a 
church or of a missionary organization must be run on 
business principles. The Lord does not help the lazy and 
shiftless church out of its difficulties, any more than the 
lazy, shiftless grocer. Accumulated interest and debts 
oppress, and unwise financial management cripples a 
church as well as a cotton mill. One of the minor results 
of the Society of Christian Endeavor should be to train 
its members to do their business judiciously, expeditiously 
and with the least friction possible. It should pay its 
debts promptly, elect its officers properly, and transact its 
business legally and according to the rules of parliamentary 
law, and yet all these things should be made subordinate 
to higher aims, 

BUSINESS A SECONDARY MATTER. 

It should never be forgotten that the main object of our 
Society is not to teach parliamentary law, or the best 
methods of debate, or to develop a race of acute statesmen 



242 Waj/s and Means. 

in every village. Just as little time should be taken up 
with business matters as is consistent with doing the 
business well. On this account, it is wise to have an 
executive committee, consisting of the officers and the 
chairmen of the various committees, who can bring the 
business into shape, hear the pros and cons, and save the 
time of the Society, which is so much more needed for 
other things than to discuss trivial matters of business. 
A good executive committee can prevent all friction and 
"keep things sweet" in any society. For this reason, too, 
at the semi-annual election it is well to have a nominating 
committee, to propose officers and committees for the 
ensuing term. This committee is not for the purpose of 
limiting the choice of members, but for the very obvious 
reason that in selecting a large number of persons for 
different positions, a few wisely selected individuals, sit- 
ting down quietly by themselves, will be likely to choose 
more carefully than a crowd, acting hurriedly and without 
concert of action. 

ACCEPT THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY. 

When the election has been held and the new officers 
fairly chosen, let the result be cheerfully accepted by the 
society at large. One of the most encouraging things 
connected with the whole movement has been the remark- 
ably little trouble which has been experienced in these 
frequent elections. I do not remember having heard of a 
single society that has been seriously divided or injured by 
any internal quarrel. I believe this happy state of things 
is due to the devout Christian spirit which prevails, and 
which seeks not place or power, but only opportunity for 
usefulness. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

I. President. The president of the society shall per- 
form the duties usually pertaining to that office. He shall 
have especial watch over the interests of the society, and it 



Waj/s and Means. 243 

shall be his care to see that the different committees per- 
form the duties devolving upon them. 

2. Vice-P7'csidc7it. The vice-president shall perform 
the duties of the president in his absence. 

3. Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty of the 
corresponding secretary to keep the local society in com- 
munication with the United Society and with other local 
societies, and to present to his own society such matters of 
interest as may come from the United Society, from other 
local societies, and from other authorized sources of Chris- 
tian Endeavor. This office shall be permanent, and the 
name shall be forwarded to the United Society. 

4. Recording Sec?'etary. It shall be the duty of the 
recording secretary to keep a record of the members, and 
to correct it from time to time, as may be necessary, and 
to obtain the signature of each newly-elected member to 
the constitution ; also, to correspond with absent members, 
and inform them of their standing in the society; also, to 
keep correct minutes of all business-meetings of the soci- 
ety ; also, to notify all persons elected to ofhce or to com- 
mittees, and to do so in writing, if necessary. 

5. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to 
keep safely all moneys belonging to the society, and to pay 
out only such sums as shall be voted by the society. 

6. Executive Conwiittee. This committee shall consist 
of the pastor of the church, the officers of^ihe society, and 
the chairman of the various committees. All matters of 
business requiring debate shall be brought first before this 
committee, and by it reported either favorably or adversely 
to the society. All discussion of proposed measures shall 
take place before this committee and not before the soci- 
ety. Recommendations concerning the finances of the 
society shall also originate with this committee. 

WHEN TO HOLD BUSINESS MEETINGS. 

Usually they can be properly held at the close of one of 
the regular prayer-meetings of the month (once a month is 



244 IVajs and Me aits. 

sufficient in any society). As a rule, they need not occupy 
more than fifteen or twenty minutes, and the business 
which needs to be brought up (if all discussions are held 
before the executive committee) ought not to interfere with 
or spoil the effect of the most devout spiritual prayer- 
meeting. 

Sometimes when the meetings are held on Sunday even- 
ing it may be best to bring up some items of business at 
the monthly social gatherings, or some other time. Still, 
let us not get the idea that our prayer-meetings are sacred 
and our business meetings purely secular. If carried on in 
the right spirit the business part may be as sacred as the 
prayer part. 

One of our friends, Mr. E. Richmond, formerly of Dela- 
ware, but now an earnest worker in Philadelphia, has sent 
the following order for a business meeting, which seems to 
me very good : 

I, Singing. 2, Prayer. 3, Reading minutes of pre- 
vious meeting. 4, President's report. 5, Secretary's 
report. 6, Reports of Standing Committee ; reports of 
Lookout Committee; reports of Prayer-Meeting Commit- 
tee, Pastor's Aid Committee, social, etc. 7, Unfinished 
business (special committees, etc.). 8, New business. 9, 
Election of new members. 10, Presentation of cards for 
membership. 11, Closing service. 

THE REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 

The most important part of the monthly business meet- 
ing in my opinion, is the report of the various committees. 
As has before been said, these should be submitted in 
writing, and should never be omitted. Every committee 
should make a report, whether it has accomplished any- 
thing or not. If nothing has been done, that should be 
said and put in writing, and eveiy effort made to have a 
better report next month. These reports should be taken 
by the Secretary and placed on file, and they will, in 
course of time, form a tolerably complete history of the 



Ways and Means. 24^ 

society. If your society has not adopted these written 
monthly reports from each committee, will you not try it, 
and see what interesting, stimulating and profitable occa- 
sions these monthly business meetings will become? 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING BUSINESS 
MEETINGS. 

Question. I would like to ask if, when a society has 
adopted the "Model Constitution," which says, "Business 
meetings shall be held once a month," a change can be 
made by vote of the executive committee to have them 
once in two or three months, when there is no business to 
call us together oftener ? It is hard to arrange entertain- 
ment as often as once a month, when there is little busi- 
ness, but the social committee feels it must provide some- 
thing when the meeting is called. 

Aftswer. Such a change as indicated can be made at 
any time, if the society votes it, on recommendation of the 
executive committee. The executive committee by itself is 
not competent to make such a change unless the society 
desires it, but its recommendation to this effect would 
usually be accepted. Every society, we think, however, 
should have a short business meeting every month, to hear 
the reports of the committees, but these reports can be 
given at one of the weekly prayer-meetings. 

Ques. Can a question which has been voted upon by 
the executive committee and reported to the society 
adversely by that committee be then voted upon by the 
society 1 

Ans. Certainly. The recommendation of the executive 
committee is only 3. recommendation, not a final decision. 

Qiies. Can the pastor, as a member of the executive 
committee, if he is not an active member, vote with the 
other members of said committee.'' 



246 Ways and Means, 

Alls. Yes, the pastor should have a vote. The whole 
Christian Endeavor movement proceeds upon the assump- 
tion that the pastor of the church is pastor of the society 
by virtue of his office, and has voice and vote in all things. 
We hope he will always be an active member when 
possible. 

Ques. Do you think it is for the interest of the society 
to combine its meetings with the regular church prayer- 
meeting ? 

Ans. Usually the young people need a separate meet- 
ing as their training school. Sometimes, for a little while 
under exceptional circumstances, as during the summer 
vacation, it may be well to combine the two meetings. 

Qiies. Should each of the committees have a committee 
meeting each month regularly t 

Ans. Yes. 

Ques, Should new members be voted in at the prayer- 
meeting or only at the monthly business-meeting.? 

Ans. Usually at the monthly business-meeting? 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 

Many Societies do not yet appreciate the vital impor- 
tance of monthly written reports from each committee, 
which, after being read, shall be kept and filed by the sec- 
retary. The following are specimens of actual reports 
which have been given, which show what we have in mind : 

Monthly report of the Lookout Coimnittee of the V. P, S. C. 
E, of the First Congregational Church of Oregon City., 
Oregon, 

A meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday eve- 
ning, July 30th, all the members being present except one. 
We discussed some plans of work, and are trying by indi- 
vidual effort and personal work to increase the interest and 
faithfulness of the members of the society, and also to 



Waj/s and Means. 247 

interest others in the work. Since the last business-meet- 
ing ^liss has been received as an associate member, 

and the name of Miss has been proposed for asso- 
ciate membership. 

We have tried to induce the leaders of the meetmgs to 
make the opening prayer, believing it to be part of their 
duty, and feel encouraged at the success of the effort 
though some of the leaders have not done so. 

At one meeting we decided to have a hundred or more 
copies of our constitution and by-laws printed, as we have 
on hand no extra copies now. We would urge upon the 
other committees the advisability of holding a meeting at 
least once a month to plan for the work and seek our 
Master's help and guidance in His work. 
Respectfully submitted, 

George Blank, Chairman. 

November report of the Missionary Committee of the Y. P. S. 
C. E. of the First M. E. Church of Greensbttrg^ Ind. 



Within the past month one evening was given to the 
subject of missions; several selections were read, appro- 
priate songs sung, a short address given by our pastor, 
and a letter from our district missionary, Miss Ella Shaw, 
was read. It was a meeting tending to inspire us with 
new zeal for the work. 

Miss Shaw stated that the greatest need at present for 
her work in China was an organ. 

Our society immediately voted her the amount required, 
thirty-two dollars, and instructed the missionary committee 
to devise ways by which the money could be raised. So 
stirred was every heart that, before any plans were made, 
the proposed sum had been secured by volunteer contribu- 
tions, and in less than a week from the time of the action 
of the society, the money was forwarded. 

A small surplus remains in our treasury. 

May the Lord increase our zeal; and may the organ 
prove a blessing to Miss Shaw in her work of winning 
souls to Christ. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Missionary Committee. 



248 Waj^s and Means. 

Semi-annual report of the Prayer-meeting Committee of the Y. 
P. S. C. E. of the First Congregational Church of Bridge- 
J>ort, Conn. 

Since our last semi-annual meeting, we have held 
twenty-eight Sunday evening meetings, viz.: Six consecra- 
tion services, two character studies, one praise-meeting, 
and nineteen prayer-meetings. The average attendance 
has been eighty-seven: the largest, 114, on Feb. 3d; the 
smallest, thirty-one, on Nov. 25th, a stormy evening. We 
have used the topics as given by the united society, with 
the exception of two evenings, when the character studies 
of Daniel and John were substituted. The meetings have 
been well sustained. One encouraging feature is that the 
ladies have more frequently taken the leadership of the 
meeting, several having taken up the cross for Jesus for 
the first time. Also, some of our members have been 
encouraged to make an advance from repeating verses to 
offering prayer. Our pastor has generally been present 
with us, and closed the meeting with a brief, earnest talk 
to the young people of his flock. On the whole, we may 
thank God and take courage, believing that the presence 
and blessing of the Master will always be with us, and that 
He will accept the service, imperfect though it may be, 
which we offer Him from week to week. 
Respectfully submitted. 

Prayer-meeting Committee. 

F. B. Sammis, Chairmait. 

Monthly report of the Helping Hand Committee of the Y. P. 
S. C. E. of the Bedford Reformed Church of Brooklyn, 
JV. Y. 

Dear Friends : Your committee wish that they might 
come to you to-night with a record of great things done m 
the name of our society, but as that cannot be, they assure 
you that the little things you have done through them have 
been fully appreciated. From us went a book of daily 
readings to an active member of another Y. P. S. C. E., 
who has been afflicted with a long, tedious illness. He 
writes that the book has given him both pleasure and 
comfort, and that he wishes his warmest thanks given to 



Waj/s and Means. 249 

the society. To another young lad whom God will soon 
call to pass through the ever-open gates of that beautiful 
city whose inhabitants never say, "I am sick," we have had 
the pleasure of sending a dainty basket of fruit and fiowers 
combined. Eight bouquets of wild and garden flowers 
have been taken to the Old Ladies' Home, where they 
have doubtless caused the inmates to "see visions and 
dream dreams" of the country which we have seen in 
reality this summer. A pot of ferns and some cut flowers 
have been sent at different times to sick friends in our 
own congregation. During the month there has been 
started a loan library of books and magazines. This will 
be under the care of the helping hand committee, who will 
gladly receive additions of suitable matter at any time. 
We have expended ninty-eight cents, and have the sum of 
two dollars in our treasury. 



250. Ways and Means. 



PART XVI. 

THE UNITED SOCIETY— LOCAL AND 
STATE UNIONS. 

THE UNITED SOCIETY. 
A Familiar Letter About Matters More or Less Personal. 

Pardon me for taking a little space to speak of some 
matter of history connected with the United Society. 
Almost every week, I have had scores of requests to tell 
more about the United Society and how it does its work. 
It is not out of place, I think, to tell you how there came 
to be a United Society and how The Golden Rule came to 
be adopted as the National Christian Endeavor paper, 
especially as so many thousands have joined the Endeavor 
family since anything has been said on this subject. 

WHY THE UNITED SOCIETY EXISTS. 

If you could come into the office at 50 Bromfield Street 
any morning at about 9 o'clock, as the office boy brings 
the mail, you would very soon realize why the United Soci- 
ety exists. His big leather mail-bag is running over with 
letters. Forty or fifty or perhaps sevent3^-five he brings to 
my desk. Another pile goes to the business agent; still 
a larger lot, a hundred, more or less, to the general secre- 
tary. This is only the first mail of the day. There are 
half a dozen more clerks, all Christian Endeavorers, and 
all active members, who are kept as busy as bees, filling 
orders, doing up samples of literature, sending out the free 
information which is still called for by the ton, etc. All 
those letters are the direct and legitunatc descendants of 



IVajs and Means. 251 

that first letter that came a little more than seven years 
ago, asking for information concerning the first experi- 
ment, called a Society of Christian Endeavor. 

THE LETTERS. 

Multiply this pile of letters by three hundred and seven, 
the number of working-days in the year, throwing out 
Sundays and holidays, and you will have at least 75,000 of 
them and a very sufficient reason, were there no other, for 
the existence of the United Society. Then there is all the 
organizing work and the writing and supervision of liter- 
ature and the efficient work of the general secretary, for 
all of which the United Society is responsible. Every 
month the trustees of the United Society have a meeting 
and give a good part of a day to consultation concern- 
ing the work. And yet no authority is claimed, no 
allegiance is asked for the United Society, no taxes are 
levied. The United Society exists for what it can give, 
and as soon as its mission is ended it will be very glad to 
give up its commission and go out of existence. 

THE GOLDEN RULE. 

But the well being of The Golden Rule seems to be 
an affront to some people. They cannot understand its 
prosperity or the growth of its subscription list. They 
think it has thrust itself upon the societies, and that some- 
how it compels the innocent and unsuspecting young 
people to subscribe. Thousands of the more recent soci- 
eties do not know how this paper came to be adopted as 
the organ of the societies. Let me tell them : For several 
years one of the "burning questions" at every convention 
was, "Shall we have a newspaper representative?" One 
scheme after another was proposed only to be rejected. 
The United Society had no money to buy or establish a 
respectable newspaper, and no one was brave enough to 
put his money into such an enterprise. At length, in 
response to repeated requests from the societies, five 
gentlemen obtained a controlling interest in The Golden 



252 Waj's and Means. 

Ricle^ 3. paper which had had a checkered existence for 
several years. They were wiUing to risk their own money 
in a scheme which promised much for the society but 
offered at the best little prospect of pecuniary return. 
This paper was adopted very heartily at the next national 
convention as the national Christian Endeavor paper. 
Every national convention and very many State con- 
ventions since have repeated the indorsement. One or two 
of the brethren in the ministry and one or two religious 
newspaper editors are very much exercised over the fearful 
thought that somebody is getting rich out of the paper. If 
they can figure a great profit out of such a paper as T/ie 
Golde7i Riile^ furnished as it is to most of the Christian 
Endeavor readers for a dollar a year, I think the proprie- 
tors will be willing to divide any such imaginary profit with 
the distinguished mathematician. Moreover The Golden 
Rule has a field of its own, and seeks to occupy that alone. 
It does not interfere with denominational and other 
religious papers, but is rather a help to their circulation, as 
more than one editor has testified. It simply stands upon 
its own merits as a religious journal for young people. 

A MONEY SAVER. 

One thing I know, and that is, that The Golden Rule 
saves the United Society thousands of dollars every year. 
It prints a great deal of literature that otherwise would 
have to be put in pamphlet form ; it enables the president 
of the United Society to give his services to the cause; 
it reaches over two hundred thousand readers every week 
with the freshest news and the latest methods of work, as 
they could not possibly be reached in any other way. 

MUCH SERVICE FOR NOTHING. 

No one connected with the society, I am sure, desires to 
make any appeal for sympathy and no one appears in the 
role of the underpaid official or the martyr to the cause ; 
but I can assure you that, so far as I know, there is no 
organization in America where so much service is freely 



Waj/s and Means. 253 

rendered on the part of officers, trustees and friends alike, 
for vvhicii no penny of pay is ever asked or received, as in 
the Society of Christian Endeavor. It has been charac- 
terized by this from the beginning. No one has ever 
been connected with it in any section of the country for 
"what he could make." No State officers have ever 
received any salary, though many of them have done much 
work, and it is an unwritten law that all this work is to be 
done gratuitously by busy men who have other means of 
support. Every night in the week, in all parts of the land, 
scores of Christian Endeavor addresses are made without 
any pay by speakers, many of whom could command a 
large price for their services. I know that it is unneces- 
sary to say these things to those who will read this letter, 
but it will, at least, give you the facts to reply to those 
who may make ill-natured and unjust attacks. No cause 
can expect to make the headway that the Christian 
Endeavor cause has made without exciting the jealousy 
and opposition of some. Our society has met with sur- 
prisingly little opposition and it has always been profited 
rather than hindered by it. If we are humble, faithful and 
true to our great purpose, this will always be the result. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNIONS. -THEIR HELPFUL- 
NESS AND POSSIBILITIES. 

BY REV. JUSTIN E. TWITCHELL, D. D., 

Pastor of the Dwight Place Church, New Haven. 

Young people's meetings are nothing new. For many 
years they have been held in numerous churches of the 
land, and universally have been helpful, not only to the 
young people who have attended and sustained them, but 
also to the churches of which these young people have 
been members, or in which they have been worshippers. 



254 Waj/s and Means. 

No room for argument here, nor call for illustration. 
Union meetings of these young people from different 
churches in various localities are nothing new. They have 
been held statedly or occasionally in more than one city 
for several years, and they have always been of interest. 

It remained, however, for a certain church in Portland, 
Me., to perfect the organization known as the "Y. P. S. C. 
E.," and for a certain church in New Haven, Conn., to 
organize the "Christian Endeavor Unions." 

That the Y. P. S. C. E. has been wonderfully blessed 
and prospered, its growth and power abundantly attest. 
At first, by some, it was looked upon with suspicion. 
Now, however, no pastor can afford to fail of encouraging 
it and no church can afford to be without it. It has 
increased the devotion of the young people everywhere; 
has marvellously developed the working forces among 
them, and, in many cases, has put new life into the church 
itself. Originating at a time when the churches of the 
land had grown comparatively undevotional and inactive, 
it has been owned of God in quickening the love, increas- 
ing the zeal and setting in motion the dormant energies of 
many an adult follower of Christ. 

As a natural and almost inevitable result of the multi- 
plied and fast-multiplying local Societies of Christian 
Endeavor, these separate organizations have sought fellow- 
ship one with another. Thus the "Christian Endeavor 
Union " was born, upon which the abundant blessing of 
God has been bestowed. 

The helpfulness of these unions is already found to be 
great : 

I. In their Suggestions. If the members of the local 
society never look or go beyond themselves, they are in 
danger of growing short-sighted, narrow in their concep- 
tion of duty and privilege, formal and routine in their 
"endeavor," and are liable to languish, if not actually die, 
of discouragement. All Christians, and especially the 



Waj/s and Means. 255 

young, need to know what others are thinking about, along 
Christian hues; what their methods of worship and work 
are, and how this or that method has succeeded. 

The Christian Endeavor union brings together for con- 
sultation a dozen or more representative young Christians 
from as many different local societies. Matters of mutual 
interest are discussed, plans reported, difficulties consid- 
ered, advantages weighed and results given. Each local 
society, therefore, has the advantage of the projects and 
experiences of all the rest. 

2. In Inspiration. — Bring together three or five hun- 
dred young Christians from twenty or thirty churches; let 
them look into each other's faces ; let them warmly grasp 
each others' hands; let their voices unite in song; let 
them hear each other pray; let them report the Lord's 
doings with them in their several societies and churches; 
let them listen to personal testimony; above all, let them 
bow in humble confession and consecration; the inspira- 
tion is untold. Those who are present usually go back to 
their local societies and churches quickened and equipped 
for aggressive Christian work. 

3. In Fellowship. — Young Christians especially, need 
this. Living in comparative isolation, as many of them 
do, working in their own local field, which is often, as they 
feel, limited and little hopeful, the danger is that they will 
become lonely and disheartened. Bring them into contact 
with fellow-Christians of their own age and "endeavor;" 
they will see that a common bond of sympathy unites 
them, that the family of God is of an uncounted member- 
ship, that real Christian love pulsates in the heart of every 
true disciple, that there is a real fellowship among those 
who love the Lord and are endeavoring to do God's work 
in the world, whatever be their church home or their 
church surroundings. 

Along these three lines, suggestion, inspiration and 
fellowship, Christian Endeavor Unions are wonderfully 



256 Waj/s and Means. 

helpful. Let every local society seek union with others, 
and make much of the stated union meetings. 

As to the possibilities of these Christian Endeavor 
Unions, who shall venture to name them ? I can see 
that they are immense and immeasurable. They are to 
develop and intelligently direct the activities of a great 
host of our young people in the nearly one hundred thou- 
sand Christian churches of the land. They are to suggest 
to them and largely shape forms of worship and of work. 
They are to train young men and women to take up 
their cross, bear personal testimony, and make personal 
endeavor for the winning of souls to Christ. They are to 
have large influence on the conception and character of 
the prayer ' and conference meetings of the churches. 
They are to be the means of increasing the activity and 
zeal of older church-members. They are to develop a 
noble band of Christian young men and women for the 
responsibilities of church management, and bring into play 
forces that will be felt for good in all our churches when 
the fathers and mothers shall give place to the sons and 
daughters in the direction of church affairs and in world- 
wide evangelizing efforts. 

No tongue shall assume to tell, or pen to write, the pos- 
sibilities of Christian Endeavor Unions. The prophecy, 
however, is plain that brighter days ere long shall dawn on 
the church and world, largely ushered in through the 
instrumentality of agencies which quicken and combine 
the young in our churches. 

CONCERNING LOCAL UNIONS. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

I wonder if we have yet learned, in our Christian En- 
deavor work, the power of union effort? We have been 
largely emphasizing the other side, the individual element, 
and we have not by any means said the last word on this 



Waj^s and Means. 257 

exceedingly important theme. The great object of our 
organization is accompUshed when each local society is 
doing its utmost to strengthen the church with which it is 
connected. The fact cannot be over-emphasized that the 
Y. P. S. C. E. is permanently (more, perhaps, than any 
other society ever formed) a church and pastor's aid soci- 
ety, and thaj: its work is largely done when it has aided to 
the utmost its own particular church. 

And yet, for the sake of doing this special work most 
efficiently, we must look beyond our own little, narrow 
horizon occasionally, and hear some other sounds than 
the singing of our own individual tea-kettle on our own 
family hearth. 

THE OBJECT OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNIONS. 

To make each local society most efficient and most help- 
ful in its own church have Christian Endeavor unions been 
established, and union meetings held, and very largely 
have they accomplished their purpose. Like everything 
else connected with our work, they have had a providen- 
tial origin and development. It was felt that something 
was being lost because the societies could not oftener 
inquire after each other's welfare, and compare notes, and 
talk over methods of work, and so, at the instance in the 
first place of Rev. J. E. Twitchell, D. D., of New Haven, 
some of our zealous Christian Endeavor Societies in that 
city formed themselves into a local union. The example 
was contagious, as, fortunately, a good example, as well as 
an evil one, often is. Other unions in the vicinity were at 
once formed, and, though Connecticut has heretofore been 
the banner State in this branch of our work, her good 
example has been copied far and wide. 

DOES YOUR SOCIETY BELONG TO A UNION? 

Perhaps it is not feasible. Yours may be isolated from 
others so that you may be obliged to get along without 
this source of inspiration. But if yours is one of a little 
group of six or eight societies in city or country, there is 



258 Waj^s and Means. 

no reason why you should not form a union, and gain great 
help from it. You are deliberately giving up one real and 
accessible "means of grace" by neglecting to form it. 

HOW TO FORM A UNION. 

Let some one call together some representatives from all 
the local societies who are interested in this matter ; adopt 
a simple constitution, without much machinery (a model 
which has worked well in many societies will be furnished 
by the United Society, if you desire), have every society 
in the vicinity that will join represented on the executive 
committee (perhaps by its president), choose a president, 
secretary and treasurer, and your craft is all built and 
rigged, and ready to be launched. 

Since the sole object of these unions is fraternity, fellow- 
ship, good feeling and mutual help, care should be taken 
that no society, however small or weak, has occasion to 
feel slighted, and that no clique or ring controls the union; 
while, on the other hand, the super-sensitive, who are 
always getting "grieved" if they are not sufficiently con- 
sulted and deferred to, should remember that very little 
can ever be done in this world unless some one goes 
ahead and does the work, and that it is a great deal better 
to fall into line and help make those things better that are 
not quite perfect, than to nurse wounded feelings and sore 
heads. 

However, it is a work of supererogation to say such 
things as these to members of a Christian Endeavor Soci- 
ety, or at least — it ought to be. 

WHAT KIND OF MEETINGS SHALL WE HAVE ? 

1. Have variety. Do not have two meetings in suc- 
cession that are just alike. 

2. Do not weary the audience with too many long 
reports from local societies. Have these reports once a 
year, have them crisp, short and meaty, not over two 
minutes in length from each society. Keep every speaker 
within the allotted time. 



Wa^/s and Means. 259 

3. Bring out new and improved methods of work. Let 
each society in the union tell just how it has been able to 
do the best work. 

4. Rely most upon home talent, but perhaps once or 
twice a year have some speaker from outside the union, 
who can arouse and inspire the members. 

5. Occasionally have a union consecration-meeting (say 
once a year), a real, live, Christian Endeavor consecration- 
meeting, and I have little doubt that at its close you will 
say, "That is the best meeting we have had." 

HOW OFTEN SHALL MEETINGS OF THE UNION BE HELD? 

Not too often. The demands of the local society and 
the church for which it labors are numerous and exacting, 
and the meetings of the union should not be held often 
enough to interfere with them. Some unions hold monthly 
meetings, but most find that once in two months, or even 
quarterly, is often enough for the best results. 

Hold the meetings with the different churches compos- 
ing the union. 

Go to get good, and not to criticise. Go to give as well 
as to get. Take away only the best things, and forget any 
mistakes or blunders, and remember that the true standard 
by which to measure the meetings is the spiritual standard. 
I will append a simple constitution which has been found 
to work well in practice. 

FORM OF CONSTITUTION FOR A LOCAL UNION. 

Article i. This society shall be called the Chris- 
tian Endeavor Union. 

Art. II. The object of the society shall be to stimulate the 
interest in Young People's Societies of Christian Endeavor in 



and vicinity. To increase their mutual acquaintance and to 

make them more useful in the service of God. 

Art. III. Any Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor in 
— and vicinity, whose Constitution in its aim and prayer- 
meeting obligations conforms generally in spirit to the " Model " Con- 
stitution, may join this Society by notifying the Secretary. 

Art. IV The officers shall be a President, Vice-President, and 



26o Waj/s and Means. 

Secretary and Treasurer. The President and Secretary and Treasurer 
shall be selected from Active Members, and to serve one year, remain- 
ing in office until their successors are elected. All the Presidents of 
the Y. P. S. C. E. forming this Union shall be Vice-Presidents of this 
Society. The President, Vice-Presidents, and Secretary and Treas- 
urer shall constitute an Executive Committee to provide for the gen- 
eral interest of the Union. 

Art. V. This Society shall hold meetings at such times and 
places as shall be determined by the Executive Committee. The 
president may call special meetings of the Executive Committee \^hen 
he may deem it necessary. 

Art. VI. The duties of the President, Vice-President, Secretary 
and Treasurer shall be the duties usually pertaining to these offices. 

Art. VII. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds 
vote of all the Active Members present at any regular meeting, the 
amendment having been submitted in writing, and notice having been 
given at least four weeks before action is taken. 

Any local union, of course, is at liberty to enlarge upon 
or improve this constitution, but I think that the above 
will be found in the main, to answer the requirements of 
most societies. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clarke. 

THE IDEAL PROGRAMME FOR A LOCAL UNION. 

BY W. H. CHILDS, 

Vice-President of the Connecticut Union. 

There are four things that local union programems can 
legitimately aim at, viz, : Conversion, inspiration, instruc- 
tion and sociability. Programmes should be arranged by 
the executive committee, after careful consideration of the 
needs of the societies to be reached. It is seldom wise to 
attempt to hit all of these points in one programme, and 
care should be exercised that one part of the programme 
does not neutralize the effect of another part. The social 
features of our union work are very valuable, and the 
friendships made in them and the ties formed between the 
members of dilierent churches are solving, in many places, 



Ways and Means. 261 

the problem of Christian unity. Make much of the social 
part, but make more of the other parts. As a rule, the 
social part should precede the programme proper, or else 
come in before the address or closing devotional service. 
Only in rare cases should the union meeting close with a 
sociable. Although we can closely unite sociability and 
prayer, yet the memory of the last hour is apt to stay with 
us longest, and it should be the memory of an uplift 
toward God. 

The following programmes illustrate two of many ways 
of making up union meetings : 

First. 6 to 7.30, supper and social greetings; 7.30 to 
8, praise service, Bible reading (with reference to subject 
of meeting), prayer; 8 to 8.10, business; 8.10 to 8.40, 
address; 8.40 to 9, devotional service, following closely 
subject of address. 

In this case, if the speaker can be depended upon to 
lead up in his address to a close full of inspiration, it 
might be well to put the devotional service just before the 
address. 

Second. 7.30 to 7.45, opening service; 7.45 to 8, busi- 
ness; 8 to 8.20, paper on lookout committee work, with 
short discussion; 8.20, singing; 8.20 to 8.35, social 
recess; 8.35 to 8.50, address, "Pledges Made to God"; 
8.50 to 9.10, consecration service, subject: "Keeping 
Vows." 

These samples simply illustrate the statement that pro- 
grammes should be made up in harmony with one central 
thought, and should aim at something. 



CONCERNING THE IDEAL CONVENTION. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

Within a few weeks I have attended more than a score 
of Christian Endeavor conventions and conferences of 



262 Wajs and Means. 

greater or less magnitude, most of them large and capi- 
tally managed meetings, and I feel moved to pass over to 
you some hints and suggestions that have come to me, 
which will perhaps help you in some future meetings. 

AS TO PREPARATION. 

Most of the meetings this fall have been, as I said, won- 
derfully successful; and it has been because some 07ie has 
prepared for them beforehand. Who that some one has 
been, I have not always known ; that some one has not 
always been most prominent in the convention ; but, in 
sight or out of sight, he has been there, and without this 
some one the convention would have been a miserable 
failure. Some one, however, should not have all the work 
or all the responsibility. For an important meeting there 
should be various committees to do the work, and it should 
be parcelled out systematically among them : one commit- 
tee on programmes; another on such details as ushers, 
badges, suitable tables for literature, etc. ; another on 
hospitality, to welcome arriving delegates, and to direct 
them to their lodgings or the place of meeting, etc. I am 
aware that all these details often have to be attended to 
by one or two individuals; but, as our state and local 
work grows, and the number of workers increases, these 
matters should be subdivided, and no one overloaded with 
all the details. 

AS TO THE PROGRAMME. 

Have different denominations represented so far as the 
societies found in any locality are divided among denomin- 
ations, remembering always that ours is an inter-denomin- 
ational society. Know something about all your speakers. 
Do not take many chances in any speaker or leader of a 
meeting. We desire, of course, to develop the young and 
inexperienced ; but a great convention is not the place to 
do this. Remember that every minute of a convention is 
precious. It will not do to run risks. For leading speak- 
ers get not only those who are well known, sj far as pos- 



Wajs and Means. 263 

sible, but get those who are bright, vigorous and forceful. 
A speaker who can be heard only half-way across the hall 
is much better off the programme than on. Our societies 
are developing plenty of bright young men and women 
who will make a capital impression, and commend the 
cause to all who hear them. Before any one is invited to 
appear before such audiences as our conventions bring 
together you should know what he can do. Give a good 
deal of time, also, to volunteer speakers from the floor. 
Have live questions that can be discussed; but do not 
choose those that will naturally excite controversy. Have 
a half-hour for brief, pithy reports from societies or 
unions, but do not spend too much time on this, or have 
simply figures reported (so many members, date of for- 
mation, etc.). Have each one tell, rather, what the society 
has done for the church. Do not overcrowd the pro- 
gramme. This is perhaps the most common danger of all. 
Be very careful who opens the question-box. Have level- 
headed, common-sensible, well-posted persons to do this. 

BRING THE MINISTERS TO THE FRONT. 

Since our society is so peculiarly and closely related to 
the work of each local church, and since it has no mission 
apart from the church, the pastors should have a promi- 
nent place at all these meetings. Get as man}^ as you can 
on the platform. Give them a chance to give their testi- 
mony concerning the society; see that their influence is 
recognized on the committees, and in official positions; let 
every convention and union meeting be an object-lesson of 
the cordial, affectionate relation existing between the pas- 
tors and the societies. Whether a clergyman should be 
president of the convention must be determined by local 
considerations. Frequently their names and position in 
the community will help the cause, though sometimes they 
cannot give the time necessary to the position, and some 
capable young layman can fill it better on that account. 
Let it always be understood, however, that the co-opera- 



264 Waj/s and Means. 

tion, presence and advice of the pastors is desired and 
expected, just as it is in our individual societies. 

AS TO THE CHAIRMAN. 

The qualities needed in a good chairman are that he 
should be alert, wide-awake, sensible, and should know 
enough of parliamentary law to keep from getting into 
a snarl. Very little parliamentary sharp practice is 
ever known at these meetings, I am thankful to say ; but 
the chairman should be enough at ease in his place to 
keep things running smoothly. By a few timely words, a 
pleasant manner, and with the exercise of a little tact, he 
can oil the wheels and prevent any possible friction. We 
have been, I think, for the most part, remarkably happy in 
these officers. 

A FEW DETAILS. 

Who should be invited to the conventions.? In my 
opinion, all the members of every society in the State or 
district should be invited to come as delegates. Some, I 
know, think that the voting delegates should be limited to 
one or two from each society, and I only give my opinion 
for what it is worth. I think, however, that as a rule, we 
can do more good by inviting all, and by giving them all 
the privileges of delegates. In our meetings there is little 
danger of packed conventions, for we must remember that 
they are never for legislation, but only for spiritual stimu- 
lus and inspiration ; so the more who attend as delegates, 
the better. Should delegates pay their own bills ? I think 
so, as a rule. I know that some States have generously 
and freely entertained all delegates, and I appreciate the 
kindness of heart that prompts this entertainment, but in 
many of our States it is already impossible to do this, the 
numbers are so large. We wish to be no burden to the 
hospitality of any community ; and if it costs a little more 
to go and pay our own way, we shall usually get enough 
more out of the meeting to pay the extra cost. The very 
lowest possible rates should be secured, and very cheap 



Wafs and Means. 265 

accommodations obtained, for those who can pay but a 
small sum. However, each convention will, I am sure, 
decide wisely all such matters for itself. 

SOME TOPICS. 

Here are some good fresh topics from recent pro- 
grammes, with which I will close my letter : 

"The Prayer-meeting of 1900," "Our Societies' Senti- 
nels" (i. e., the lookout committee), "Pledge Require- 
ments," "Things that Hinder," "The Young Woman in 
Christian Endeavor," "Cure for the Neglectful," "Prayer- 
meeting Ruts." Of course these are in addition to the 
more common, but all-important, subjects of "Committee 
Work." "The Consecration-meeting," "The Society Inter- 
denominational," "The Junior Work," "The Aim and 
Purpose of Christian Endeavor," etc., subjects which can- 
not yet be safely omitted from many of our convention 
programmes. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A STATE CONVENTION. 

BY REV. JOHN L. SEWALL. 

1. Begin twelve months ahead to pray and plan. Note 
any failure or mistake in this year's meeting, any place for 
possible improvement, while freshly in mind. 

2. Capture and imprison in memorandum book every 
bright idea which flashes upon your mind : a timely topic, 
the name of a good speaker, a new method. 

3. As to place of meeting: see" that the greatest possi- 
ble Endeavor enthusiasm is previously aroused in the com- 
munity and adjoining towns, as by a local union or similar 
meeting; local interest is a great help. 

4. Secure as chairman of committee of arrangements a 
genuine business man, and let all local responsibility cen- 
ter in him. 

5. As to programme : 



266 Ways and Means. 

(i) Arrange it three months before the meeting; this will give 
none too much time to secure a speaker for every part; six weeks 
before the convention the complete programme ought to be ready and 
printed. 

(2) Have some reliable, "all-round" men ready to fill vacancies 
which are sure to come during the sessions. 

(3) Use lay talent as much as possible, in a few ten-minute and 
more five-minute addresses ; let those who take these parts understand 
that time limits will be strictly enforced; if they are inexperienced in 
public speaking, earnestly advise them to submit their papers to their 
pastors for criticism. 

(4) For themes requiring special wisdom and discrimination, call 
to your aid the right kind of ministers ; but never put any man upon 
the programme as a " compliment ". Sometimes, ask the ministers 
to promptly follow, rather than lead in the discussions. 

(5) Have every part of the State represented in the list of speak- 
ers, not slighting the smaller societies. Try to discover new talent by 
inquiry of pastors and local union secretaries. 

(6) As to character of topics : divide about equally between those 
of instruction upon specific points of C. E. work and those of broader 
inspiration to better Christian service. Rely on the question-box for 
all matters of detail in the work of the societies. 

(7) Take the work of some one committee, as, for instance, the 
social, subdivide and thoroughly discuss it. 

(8) Secure, if possible, one of our trusted leaders from the 
National Society, and give him a fair chance, that is, if he gives an 
evening address, shorten the preliminaries, and have only one 
address (not exceeding thirty minutes) before his, so that he may 
have a fresh and not an exhausted audience. 

6. Plan places for business where it will not find unin- 
terested audiences ; for example, put in a half-hour at the 
close of the afternoon, when the local audience, but not 
the delegates, will be anxious to get to their homes. 

7. Have frequent devotion interspersed throughout 
each session, rather than concentrated at its beginning. 
For good singing, get the S. C. E. books, a cornetist 
(indispensable) and a chorus choir (very helpful). 

8. Remember that the two best parts of the programme 
are the model C. E. prayer-meeting (an early morning one, 
if possible, led by the best leader in the State) and the 



Waj^s and Means. 267 

consecration-meeting. If you cannot have an eminent 
worker lead this last, do the next best thing you can, 

9. As to finances : send out, two months before the 
meeting, a statement of the estimated expense of the con- 
vention to every society, with a blank pledge to be filled 
and returned to the State treasurer, and to be paid at the 
meeting. This plan will obviate any word of begging in 
the meetings, and will probably leave a comfortable sur- 
plus for the next year. 

10. Do not be afraid to use the printing-press; adver- 
tise the convention well; send preliminary announcements, 
programmes, appeals, bulletins, a week or ten days apart, 
until every society in the State is positively sure that there 
is to be a convention ; it will cost something, but it will 
richly pay in enthusiasm and large representation. 

AN IDEAL STATE CONVENTION PROGRAMME. 

BY REV. H. N. KINNEY. 

President of the Connecticut Union. 

1. It will be a State programme, in dignity and design, 
as contrasted with a local union programme; in subjects 
and speakers, in distinction from a national conference 
programme. Yet the United Society will be recognized. 

2. It will characterize and epitomize the work of 
Endeavor in the State. 

3. It will suggest and emphasize what it ought to be 
in the future. 

4. It will answer the question, for members and soci- 
eties, "How?" for pastors and the pubHc, "What?" for 
wide-awake workers, "What next?" in that state. 

5. It will grow out of the programme of the year 
before, and into the programme of the year to come. 

6. It will be based on a knowledge of the condition of 
the societies, of the- principles of Endeavor and of the 



268 Waj/s and Means. 

place of Endeavor, in the work of Christ and the church 
at large. 

7. The committee of arrangements will be Brains, 
Forethought, Spiritual Purpose, Executive Ability and 
Good Judgment. 

8. The local committee will be Obedience to Orders, 
Perfections in Details, Willingness to Work, Prayerful 
Preparation and Cordial Welcome. 

9. In main outline, it will be thought of and thought 
out during the year preceding crystallizing in solution. 

ID. Amid diversity will " our increasing purpose run." 
It will not be a witch's cauldron, a crazy-quilt or even the 
chance combination of a kaleidoscope ; rather a mosaic — 
"as the world, harmoniously confused." 

11. The first session will be Introduction; the second. 
Routine Discussion ; the third. Elucidation and Inspira- 
tion; the fourth. Climax and Consecration. 

12. Its model will be a Christian Endeavor prayer- 
meeting. 

13. Its motto will be: "No long speeches. Many to 
hear from. Every one on time." 

14. It will recognize lay talent as well as ministerial, 
male and female, sections and sects, in due proportion. 

15. It will proceed on "schedule time" and be carried 
out as planned, yet will be flexible for discussions from the 
floor. // will have a bell ! 

16. It will allow no choir-singing on the last night of 
the convention. 

17. It will give frequent place for prayer. 

18. It will subdivide its topics on occasion, in 
the morning, for discussion by groups in different 
rooms. 

19. It will make all announcements on a printed 
programme. 

20. The printed programme will be, though plain, 
attractive. 



Waj/s and Means. 269 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING UNITED 
SOCIETY LOCAL UNIONS, ETC 

Question. In order to belong to the United Society 
of Christian Endeavor, is it absolutely essential that 
a society should adopt word for word the common 
pledge ? 

Answer. No. If the idea and spirit and obligation are 
the same, that is sufficient, but uniformity is pleasant and 
desirable. 

Ques. Is there not some danger to be apprehended 
from banding these local societies together in national and 
State organizations? 

Ans. No danger will be apprehended when the nature 
of these unions is understood. These organizations 
demand nothing of the young people. They exercise no 
control and lay down no laws. They exist only to give 
information and to aid the local societies, and one way 
in which they do this is by constantly urging to greater 
love and loyalty for the church. 

Ques. How shall one go to work to form a local union t 

Ans. Call a preliminary meeting of all who are inter- 
ested in such a project in the various societies. After 
voting to form such a union, if this is the desire of the 
societies represented, adopt a simple constitution and elect 
officers and arrange for the first meeting of the union, or 
leave it in the hands of the executive committee. All the 
societies of the union should be represented (through their 
presidents*, perhaps) on the executive committee. A sam- 
ple constitution, which has been adopted by many unions 
will be sent on application to the U. S. C. E., 50 Bromfield 
Street, Boston. 

Ques. When a county convention is held, whose duty 
is it to notify neighboring societies ? 

Ans. It is the duty of the secretary of the union. 

Ques. Should the corresponding secretary report regu- 



2/0 WafS and Means. 

larly? If so, how often, and what items should be 
included in the report? 

A71S. Blanks will be sent to the corresponding secretary 
once a year to be filled out. 

Qiies. What Helps does the United Society publish 
and at what price ? 

Ans. A complete price-list will be sent on application. 
Here are some of the publications : ^' The Society of C. E. 
What It Is and How It Works," "The Model Constitu- 
tion," "The Element of Obligation," "Junior Societies," 
"Reorganization," "What the Pastors Say," "The Work 
of the Committees," "The Beginnings of a Society of 
Christian Endeavor." These pamphlets are by Rev. F. E. 
Clark, except the last, which is by Rev. S. W. Adriance, 
and are published for two cents, except " The Work of the 
Committees," which costs three cents. Besides these, 
pledge cards for active and associate members, invitation 
and introduction cards and others for the Sunday School 
and flower committee are published at an average price of 
50 cents per hundred. Uniform prayer-meeting topic 
cards cost from ^i per hundred upward, according to style. 
The solid gold C. E. badge costs 75 cents or $1, accord- 
ing to weight, and the silver one, 25 cents. A handsome 
lithograph copy of the prayer-meeting pledge, suitable for 
framing and which can be read across the vestry, costs 50 
cents. 

The revised pledge suspended from rod with roll 
attached, price 75 cents. 



VVajys and Mea7is.^ 271 



PART XVII. 

JUNIOR SOCIETIES. 

A FAMILIAR LETTER 
By the President of the United Society. 

A providential outgrowth of the Christian Endeavor 
movement has been the Junior Societies, which are now 
being formed so rapidly. Many churches desire to do 
more for the younger boys and girls than seems quite 
practicable in the average society of Christian Endeavor. 
Most societies hold their prayer-meeting as late as half- 
past seven o'clock in the evening, and at the best it is 
difficult to get through and home again before nine 
o'clock. For the boys and girls, from eight to twelve or 
thirteen, many parents have thought these hours too late, 
and as they cannot wisely be changed, this very fact has 
made the Junior Society or something that answers this 
purpose almost a matter of necessity. 

Moreover, the same sort of a meeting is not always the 
most appropriate for the younger ones and for the older 
ones alike, since more in the way of instruction can be 
introduced to the advantage of the Junior Societies. 

In the regular Christian Endeavor meeting the leader 
should take up very few of the precious minutes ; in the 
Junior meeting, which should be led usually by some older 
person, more time can be appropriately taken in this way. 

TEACH THEM TO PRAY. 

In these meetings the boys and girls should be taught to 
pray aloud, and before their companions. The eight-year- 
old boy can offer a prayer which is exactly as appropriate 



272 Ways and Meajzs. 

for him to offer as the prayer which his father, the fifty- 
year-old deacon, may offer. If the boys and girls begin in 
the Junior Societies to offer these prayers, and it becomes 
a part of their religious lives thus to pray, the time will 
never come when they cannot perform this Christian duty. 
I know of some homes where the little ones at the table 
ask the blessing on the food, and it always seems to me a 
delightful recognition of God's willingness to listen to a 
child's prayer. 

In one church with which I am acquainted, one of the 
leading young men, the president of the society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor, gets a company of boys together every Sun- 
day afternoon, talks and prays with them, and gets them 
to pray for themselves. No formal Junior Society of 
Christian Endeavor has yet been formed in that church, 
but the work thus done will help the boys wonderfully, and 
before many years their voices will be heard, I believe, in 
prayer in the weekly meeting of the society. 

A COMBINATION OF WORK. 

These Junior Societies, too, while they should not forget 
their especial mission of training the boys and girls for the 
older society, and thus for the church, can frequently com- 
bine and render more effective various scattered branches 
of church work for children. For instance, one branch of 
the work may have reference to temperance effort, and one 
meeting each month may be used to inculcate temperance 
principles, and to pray for this great cause. Another 
branch may be the mission circle division, with a monthly 
missionary meeting, and an afternoon, as often as may be 
deemed best, for the girls to sew or pack the missionary 
box. Still another branch might be for the many admir- 
able lines of work taken up by the King's Sons, and the 
King's Daughters. Thus, instead of increasing and multi- 
plying organizations, the Junior Society may simplify and 
make more effective the work of many existing organiza- 
tions, while at the same time the spiritual side of all this 



IVaj's and Means. 273 

work is made prominent by the Junior prayer-meeting, 
which may be made very short, but should never be 
omitted. 

ANOTHER ADVANTAGE. 

Another advantage of combining the different branches 
of work and centering them around the prayer-meeting is, 
that thus many more children can be interested in the 
great movements of the day. 

For instance, in many churches only a dozen or twenty 
of the girls are in the mission circle, but through- the Jun- 
ior Society all the boys and girls might be led to take 
some interest in missions and in the work of the circle. 
So with temperance and other branches of Christian work. 
They are all important, and all necessary, and the Junior 
Society, if rightly managed, may bring a multitude of chil- 
dren to become interested in these things, and greatly 
increase their efficiency. Mrs. Alice May Scudder has 
written an admirable book for Junior Societies called 
Attractive Truths in Lesson and Story, to which I would 
refer you for further information on the snbject. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

WORK AMONG CHILDREN- 

BY MISS MARY F. DANA. 

I suppose that none of us question the advisability and 
importance of interesting the children in Christian work, 
and it is perfectly apparent in most Endeavor societies 
that there is no opportunity for the active participation of 
children. "Even a child is known by his doings, whether 
his work be pure and whether it be right." We believe it, 
and we desire to see Christian Endeavorers among the 
children. It is early training in the Scriptures and in the 
principles of right action that is essential to the develop- 
ment of a strong and pure youth. If in some homes the 



274 Waj/s and Means. 

children are fortunate enough to receive the desired train- 
ing in these things, in others they are not so blessed, and, 
moreover, the meeting together, the assuming of some 
slight responsibility and the taking part in some public 
exercise, teaches them a ready application of their powers 
to active Christian service. In educating children for 
citizenship, the State does not rest upon the supposition 
that parents will see that their children are suitably pre- 
pared for their duties. We know very well that many 
parents will do nothing of the kind, and we make a certain 
degree of education a compulsory matter. In many coun- 
tries children and youth have been, and still are compelled 
to undergo a certain amount of physical training. Should 
not the church then, by every means in its power, supple- 
ment all possible home-training, and provide for the lack 
of it, by organized endeavor for the development of the 
pliant spiritual powers of its children? Most Sunday 
School teachers know how impossible it is to give much 
time to the memorizing of Scripture, to instruction in mis- 
sionary and temperance matters, in the one short hour of 
the Sunday session. A Christian Endeavor meeting is a 
good place to take up much work of this sort. These 
meetings are also invaluable opportunities for additional 
efforts in the exercise of singing. 

METHODS OF ORGANIZATION. 

If we are to bear the name of Junior Y. P. S. C. E., we 
should, as a matter of course, preserve, so far as possible, 
the distinctive characteristics of the Christian Endeavor 
movement; but some modifications are necessary. In our 
own societ}^ we did not feel that we could work a chil- 
dren's society successfully by the Model Constitution. 
We did not divide into active and associate members. 
Our acquaintance with the children was, in the beginning, 
too slight to enable us to make such distinctions among 
them, and they themselves had too little understanding 
of the requirements, and would have taken the pledge 



Waj/s and Means. 275 

thoughtlessly. But a pledge is required of all, a pledge 
of constant attendance and assistance in promoting the 
ends of the society, and as acquaintance with individuals 
increases, endeavors are made to obtain from the more 
thoughtful an expression of Christian purpose, and we 
intend that when they join the older society they shall not 
be afraid to take the strictest sort of a pledge. 

Officers and committees can be substantially the same 
as in the senior society, with the same terms of office and 
the same methods of election, provided they be under the 
supervision of adult officers. Let the connection with the 
older society be as close as possible. Let the superin- 
tendent of the juniors be chosen from the active members 
of the other branch, and let this branch always be reported 
at the semi-annual business-meeting, then they will natu- 
rally pass into the older society when they have reached 
the age limit of the juniors. 

VARIETY. 

Greater variety in the meetings is, of course, necessary 
with the children; We hold one temperance-meeting a 
month, one missionary-meeting, one Bible-reading and a 
consecration-meeting, as we call it. Although this is 
somewhat different in character from the consecration- 
meeting of the older members, it is conducted in a similar 
manner. As the roll is called, each one responds to his 
name by some Scripture quotation, prayer, song, story, or 
by simply naming a hymn to be sung. One month we ask 
some one to address the children on the subject of temper- 
ance or missions; another month the boys arrange for a 
temperance meeting and the girls for a missionary meeting, 
and vice versa. There is a grand chance to teach the 
young people to work for others. Let them raise money 
in some way, adopt a new plan as often as possible, and 
let it be devoted to various objects. We raise every year 
money for foreign missions, send something to home mis- 



276 Waj/s and Means. 

sionaries, and assist in filling the Christmas-tree at the 
Mission Sunday School or the Children's Home. 

Of course we find difficulties in the way, the work will 
not always run smoothly; we learn as often by our failures 
as by our successes. Patience, perseverance and enthusi- 
asm, with a love for children, and some experience with 
them, are the best qualifications for a leader. Time and 
money are necessary factors in the successful result. 

NOVELTIES. 

To maintain the interest it is necessary to introduce 
novelties as often as possible. At one time furnish badges 
at another a banner; again distribute picture-tracts or 
papers. We have promised this year a social every two 
months, while the society is holding its meetings. These, 
with the exception of the regular parties at Christmas and 
at the "jug-breaking" festival, are for those who have 
attended the other meetings during the two months, and 
are informal, with games arranged by the social committee, 
and with a basket-supper. We have just had one of these 
sociables, which passed off very pleasantly in spite of a 
hard rain. 

We find that all these things help us in maintaining order. 
Excite first the members' interest and desire to remain in 
the society, and, by steady persistence, the proprieties of 
the place and of the work in which they are engaged will 
be impressed upon the most restless and light-minded. If 
there are any whose interest cannot be aroused, they will 
soon take themselves away. 

It has been said that there is a constant call for patience 
in the work, but there is also a certain reward and pleas- 
ure. The enthusiasm of the children is contagious; their 
eagerness to begin the meetings again, after every vaca- 
tion, the growth manifested in the points of self-control 
and quiet attention, are all very gratifying. To any who 
contemplate entering upon this work, I can confidently say 
from my own experience, that you will find great joy in 



IVaj/s and Means. 277 

doing it, and can feel that it is a work upon which the 
Master will gladly bestow His blessing. 

THE JUNIOR SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

BY REV. NORMAN PLASS. 

This organization is a later development of the Chris- 
tian Endeavor movement. It exists for the benefit of our 
younger young people, or boys and girls under fifteeiv 
years of age. It becomes for them a training school, with 
afternoon or early evening sessions, where they can be 
instructed in the Bible and Christian doctrine, taught to 
perform the duties of the Christian life, and thus be pre- 
pared for membership in the senior society and the church. 
To make sure of 

A RIGHT START, 

don't give any notice. If you do you will get a lot of little 
children and only a few of the older ones, and your 
endeavor will result in failure. Do your first work in pri- 
vate. Specially invite to meet you the ones you want for 
a nucleus of the society. Start with five or six. Don't 
speak of organization at first. Meet them again and 
again, talk and pray with them. Give each the privilege 
of inviting one more. When you are sure that you have 
material for organization, then speak of it, and ask the 
children to talk it over with father and mother and report 
next time. Then organize. Obtain of the United Society 
a pamphlet entitled "Junior Societies of Christian Endeav- 
or." That will furnish you a "model constitution" and 
suggestions regarding organization. Consider what spe- 
cial features a society in your church will demand. " Have 
it as much like the older society as possible, while at the 
same time the needs of the children are remembered." 

If the pastor is himself unable to lead the society, let 
him search out one of the older young people — I might 
almost say one of the older young ladies. He should 



278 Ways and Means. 

choose a member of the senior society of Christian En- 
deavor, or one who has the true spirit of Christian Endeav- 
or, a good manager, one who loves children and whom the 
children love, who has tact in dealing with them, is wise in 
winning them to Christ, and believes that they can be 
"genuine Christians and live children at the same time." 

Most often the senior and junior societies are wholly 
separate and distinct. Would it not be well, at least, to 
have in the constitution of each a clause looking toward 
the other, and expressing the expectation that, at a proper 
age, members of the junior society will become active 
members of the senior society? A union still more vital, 
I believe, would be wise. The control of the junior soci- 
ety should be vested in the senior, and not be left to the 
one person temporarily in charge. It would seem to be 
advisable to have one Endeavor society in a church, with 
two branches, and to have in the senior branch a standing 
committee of five, called the junior branch committee, to 
be appointed with great care and with the co-operation of 
the pastor. The chairman may be designated as leader of 
the branch, another member as assistant, and the other 
three as special directors of the prayer-meeting, lookout 
and social committees of the junior branch. Reports of 
the junior work should be submitted by this committee at 
the business meetings. Occasionally there should be joint 
prayer or consecration-meetings and union entertainments. 
If other juvenile societies are incorporated into the Junior 
Endeavor Society, the leaders of these will be the best 
additional members of the junior branch committee. 
Don't let the committee do the work of the juniors, but 
simply superintend it. 

In the junior society 

WE MUST HAVE THE PLEDGE. 

It is the backbone of any endeavor society. The idea 
of obligation is the secret of strength in the movement. 
The pledge in the junior society must be the same in sub- 



Ways and Means. 279 

stance as in the senior — a promise to try to lead a Chris- 
tian life, to perform its duties, and to attend and take 
some part in every meeting of the society. Have the 
object of the society and the pledge printed on a stiff card, 
with a space for the name of the child. Below, with a 
space for the parent's name, have printed this sentence: 

" I am willing that should join this society, and will 

do all I can to help him (or her) keep the pledge." When 
the signatures are obtained, punch the card in a corner, tie 
in a pretty ribbon, and give it to the child to hang up at 
home as a constant reminder. Rather than to divide the 
juniors into active and associate members, would it not be 
wise to have a section for recruits and another for 
advanced members, the conditions of promotion being 
based upon conduct, regularity of attendance, evidence of 
right Christian purpose, etc, ? 

As to whether the children or others should lead the 
meetings, all seems to depend upon the character of the 
boys and girls. The child-leadership is the ideal. Let 
the superintendent have entire charge at first. Suita- 
ble leaders will be developed among the children. Let 
them be taught and in reality feel all the responsibility of 
leadership, and under judicious direction they will become 
true leaders. 

Have weekly meetings whenever you can with success. 
Where the meetings must be held Sunday afternoon, twice 
a month may be best. 

THE MONTHLY CONSECRATION-MEETINGS 

are the ribs of a society, as the pledge is the backbone. 
It is not beyond the experience of children to "renew their 
allegiance to Christ." They will appreciate the meeting, if 
rightly conducted, and profit by it more than by any other 
meeting of the month. 

To maintain the interest, every meeting must be fully 
planned with the greatest care, and no two should be alike. 
Have neat printed programmes, with blanks for the child's 



28o Waj/s and Means. 

record of attendance and part taken. Choose simple sub- 
jects. Have occasional Bible-readings, temperance and 
missionary meetings, " promise " meetings, services of 
song, and meetings to which the parents shall be invited. 
Give the children work to do in preparing for the meetings. 
Appoint two who shall each tell a Bible story at the next 
meeting. Put the meetings occasionally in the hands of 
committees. 

Instruction should have large place. Drill the children 
in finding places in their Bibles readily. Have Scripture 
passages memorized and recited in concert. Teach Chris- 
tian doctrine by means of a catechism. Give out profitable 
Bible questions to be answered. Use the blackboard. 
Have the children state proper objects for prayer, and put 
these down on the board. Early in the meeting have the 
children kneel, and ask that a number lead in prayer. 
Encourage sentence-prayers. After prayer, have respon- 
sive reading of the lesson. Tell a Bible story, and let the 
children guess who the characters are. Give opportunity 
for Bible texts and personal testimony. Close by repeat-, 
ing in concert the pledge or the Endeavor benediction. 
With such methods, most of the children cannot help tak- 
ing part. 

There may be various accessories to the meetings, but 
bend all to the aim of winning the children to Christ and 
training them for His service. It will be hard work, to be 
sure ; but what that is worth having do we get in this life 
without hard work ? I know of no other line of work that 
pays as good dividends. 

HOW ONE PASTOR MANAGES HIS JUNIOR 
SOCIETY. 

We take the following from an excellent article by Rev. 
H. W. Pope, in The Congregationalist. Mr. Pope has a 
flourishing Junior Society in his church in Palmer: 



Waj/s and Means. 281 

We have a very simple constitution, and also use a 
pledge card which reads as follows : 

Trusting in Jesus for strength, I promise Him that I will strive to 
do whatever He would like to have me do, that I will pray to Him 
every day, and that just so far as I know how, I will try to lead a 
Christian life. 

Signed, • 

I am willing that should join this Society, and I will do all I 

can to help keep the pledge. 

Parents' name, , 

Our meetings are held each alternate Friday, for half an 
hour, at the close of school. They are usually led by the 
boys and girls, though the pastor sits beside the leader 
and does most of the talking, A topic is always assigned 
beforehand. After the roll is called and the meeting 
opened, the pastor takes up the topic and questions them 
upon it. For instance, if the subject is " Sin," he will ask, 
" What is sin .? " "Who commit sin?" ''Why do they do 
it.?" "What are the consequences of sin?" "What is 
the cure for it?" and so on. Sometimes we have a tem- 
perance-meeting or a Bible-reading or a praise service. 
Occasionally we have a newspaper-meeting, when the chil- 
dren bring in clippings to illustrate the subject. Some- 
times we go on a missionary tour, look up the route, the 
price of tickets, the manners and customs of the people we 
are to visit. Occasionally we have a consecration service, 
when the children are encouraged to offer prayer, and 
speak in a personal way of their Christian hope and pur- 
pose, and their helps and hindrances in the Christian life. 
Now and then we have a social or pack a box of clothing 
for missionary use. The main object is to teach them the 
meaning and value of the Christian life, and to show them 
not only from the Word of God, but also from their own 
experience and observation, that "the way of the trans- 
gressor is hard." 



2S2 Ways and Means. 



PART XVIII. 

REORGANIZATION. 

CONCERNING REORGANIZATION. 

BY GEORGE M. WARD. 

Amongst the many letters asking for advice, that daily 
come to the general office, we frequently find the query: 
" What can we do with those active members who do not 
and will not take part?" Examination in nearly every 
case leads to the discovery that these so-called active 
members were allowed to join the society without first 
obtaining any adequate idea of what would be required of 
them in such capacity, in some cases even without a 
thorough reading of the constitution. This fact at once 
points out a warning to our lookout committee. You 
all realize how much easier it is to start a person right, 
than it is to correct him after a wrong advance has been 
made. Once admit to active membership a young per- 
son who does not fully understand and appreciate the 
responsibilities incurred, and the result is that before us. 
Just think for a moment of the situation. First, you have 
pledged him to work he was not aware of, and perhaps is 
not ready to undertake. Second, you have set for the 
associate members an example which cannot be approved, 
and which cannot but do great harm. And again you 
have lowered the standard of your society. In many 
instances this state of affairs is due to the fact that, pre- 
vious to the organization of the Christian Endeavor, there 
had been in existence some other society, whose aim had 
been of a social and literary character, and whose work 



Waj/s and Means. 283 

had not been of a distinctively religious kind. In such 
organizations the requirements for admission are usually of 
a merely nominal character, and the work demanded, if 
there be any, is not such as calls for the acknowledgment, 
tacitly or otherwise, that the participant is a Christian. 

In many such instances the pastor or interested friends 
are anxious to turn the young life thus interested into 
religious channels, and to bring out for the benefit of the 
church itself the talent, often considerable in amount, that 
is latent here. But how to accomplish this ? The Chris- 
tian Endeavor plan is examined and approved, but the 
wide difference between its requirements and the absolute 
freedom of the old institution is plainly noticeable, and at 
once the fear arises that the contrast will prevent many of 
the young people from joining, and will cause them to 
drift away from church influences entirely. The result is 
that the constitution is modified or weakened, the pledge 
is omitted, and one and all are welcomed without regard 
to adaptability or fitness. The outcome is the state of 
affairs outlined at the beginning of this article — a society. 
Christian Endeavor in name only, a membership pledged 
to nothing, and consequently doing nothing, and a pastor 
and lookout committee at their wits' end. 

What is to be done.-* Experience gives an answer: 
Reorganize ! Let some Christian, your pastor if possible, 
state plainly to the young people the aim of a true Chris- 
tian Endeavor Society, show to them the privilege which 
may be theirs if they will enter in earnest into the Master's 
service, and show to them, in a kindly spirit, the fact that 
they must stand on one side or the other in this matter, 
they must be either with the Lord or against Him, there 
can be no middle way — and then ask them to choose, for 
" His sake," on which side they will stand. The decision 
will impress the most sanguine. One pastor wrote, that 
the young persons of whom he had scarcely dared hope 
for a response came out on the Lord's side, saying that 



284 Wajys and Means. 

they could not be counted against Him ; while member 
after member who had failed of performing his duty, 
through carelessness, was brought to a standstill by the 
mere thought of what his neglect really meant. 

It is not an intentional neglect of duty, only the result 
of thoughtlessness, and it needs only a kindly and Chris- 
tian reminder of the fact to arouse the latent energy to 
renewed action. Start right. Place the standard high, 
and strive to live up to it ! Remember that the rules are 
for the many, and not for the individual cases. Where in 
single instances the rule seems hard, try by personal effort 
and assistance to smooth over the difficulty, but do not 
lower the standard. The Society of Christian Endeavor 
is a society of workers, a society to advance the kingdom, 
a society, not of idlers who would carry the Lord's name 
as His followers and do nothing to deserve their Leader, 
but a society of earnest young soldiers, whose oath of 
allegiance has been taken to serve in any situation or duty 
where the commander shall station them. 

HOW TO REORGANIZE. 

BY REV. F. E. CLARK. 

1. Do not reorganize your society unless there is real 
need of it. If almost all your members are faithful to 
their vows, let the lookout committee see the few delin- 
quents, and in a kindly and brotherly spirit bring them 
back to their duty, or show them the harm they are doing 
while active members, and induce them to leave the active 
membership, if they are incorrigible. 

2. If you have omitted the prayer-meeting pledge from 
your constitution, or have so weakened it that it means 
very little, or have omitted the consecration-meeting, and, 
in consequence, find that there is little vitaHty in your 
society, and that the meetings are languishing, then 
change your constitution, until it contains the main fea- 



Wajys and Means, 285 

tures of the Model Constitution, which is adopted by nine- 
tenths of the societies throughout the world, and which 
contains this prayer-meeting clause: "Every active mem- 
ber is expected to attend every weekly prayer-meeting, 
unless detained by some absolute necessity, and to take 
some part, however slight, in every meeting." "Absolute 
necessity" the revised Model Constitution defines as 
"some reason which the young disciple can conscientiously 
give to the Master, Jesus Christ, for non-attendance or 
non-participation. " 

Then when you are sure that all the members under- 
stand the constitution, and know what they are doing, give 
out the regular active membership pledge cards. 

3. If your society already has adopted the right consti- 
tution, but contains many members who are not faithful, 
and who are really a hindrance to the spiritual life of all 
present, then give to every active member the following 
card : 

AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER, 
I HAVE PROMISED 

1st. — To be present at every meeting, unless detained by absolute 
necessity, meaning by this some reason which, with a clear 
conscience, I can preseiff to my Master, Jesus Christ. 

2d. — To take some part in every meeting, aside from singing. 

3d. — If absent from the monthly consecration-meeting, to send if pos- 
sible, a verse of Scripture to be read to the society. 
I hereby renew this covenant with God, and by His grace will 

fulfill its requirements. 



Dated, 

Signed, 



When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not 
slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; 
and it would be sin in thee. — Deut. xxiii: 21. 

Those who will not sign this card thus drop themselves 
from membership, and the active list is thus relieved of 



286 Ways and Means. 

unfaithful ones, and the society, even though reduced in 
size, is really stronger than before. 

By this process of reorganization no one, of course, is 
excluded from attending the meetings, or from associate 
membership. In scores of cases this method has worked 
admirably. 

Cards like the above can be printed by each society, 
or can be obtained of the United Society of Christian 
Endeavor. 

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE. 

A correspondent in Los Angeles, sometime since sent us 
the following characteristic account of the reorganization 
of his society. This experience has been duplicated by 
hundreds of societies. 

The Y. P. S. C. E. of the First Congregational Church 
of Los Angeles, Cal., is one of the societies that have seen 
the effects of reorganization. Two or three years since it 
had a membership of eighty-five, all nominally active mem- 
bers. Its prayer-meetings were well attended, its monthly 
socials noted for their sociability, and its help to the 
church acknowledged by all members of the church. But 
it had no pledge, and it seemed to those most deeply inter- 
ested that there was a lack of results, though plenty of 
endeavor. After much discussion it was voted to reorgan- 
ize, and a new constitution, including the "cast-iron 
pledge," was adopted. There was much opposition, and 
one member expressed the opinion that ''the society would 
be dead in less than a year." 

The new society began its life at one of the regular con- 
secration-meetings, with about twenty names on the roll. 

It was indeed a trying time for the young society. The 
church was without a pastor; the summer, proverbially 
a dull season for churches, was just beginning, and many 
members were about to leave for their vacations. About 



Waj/s and Means. 287 

the same time the president removed from the city, and 
it seemed as if the prediction made might come to pass. 
But it did not. The society grew, and at the end of three 
months had a membership of forty-six active and one asso- 
ciate, with the objecting member above referred to, on the 
Hst and leading the meeting. Since then, absent ones 
have returned, and the society is growing every week. 
Our President is an earnest worker, and is well aided 
by good committees; good work is constantly being 
planned, and we are sure will be accomplished, for now we 
are a true society of Christian Endeavor. 

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING REORGANI- 
ZATION. 

Question. When organizing our society we were not as 
particular as we should have been regarding the election of 
new members ; now, on entering work for a new year, we 
find that there are some that are very lax in their attend- 
ance, and in taking part in the meetings. What shall we 
do with them } 

Answer. The old plan, frequently before suggested, 
is the only one we can recommend; reorganize your 
society by presenting to each one the prayer-meeting 
pledge, and have for members only those who intelligently 
and voluntarily sign this "reorganization card." Do not 
make any other changes, except to incorporate the pledge 
in the constitution, if it is not there already. It is a very 
simple and easy thing to do. Reorganization cards will 
be furnished by the United Society, or can be printed 
by any local societies. 

Qices. Are reorganization cards to be used only when 
a society has not lived up to its pledge ? 

Ans. They are to be used only when needed, and if 
the members live up faithfully to their pledge, we can 
hardly conceive of the necessity of using them. 



288 Waj/s and Means. 

Ques. In the case of a society of which at least sixty 
per cent, of its membership either do not know or do not 
intend to fulfill their obligations, and who make a majority 
at the business-meetings, thereby barring out reorganiza- 
tion, what can and should be done ? 

Ans. If you cannot reorganize drop" the Christian 
Endeavor name, and have the best sort of a society possi- 
ble without the Christian Endeavor principle. 



Waj/s and Means. 289 



PART XIX. 

THE SOCIETY IN A REVIVAL 

A FAMILIAR LETTER 
From the President of the United Society. 

The special revival effort to be put forth by each society 
of which we have been talking for a few weeks, must be 
largely determined, of course, by the needs and opportu- 
nities of each society, after much prayer and consultation 
with the pastor and others. Here are some suggestions 
which have certainly proved useful in many places. 

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER-MEETING. 

Scarcely any line of evangelistic work is more hopeful 
than the Sunday School prayer-meeting. If the pastor is 
willing, and, better still, under his leadership and guid- 
ance, call such a meeting. Ask all who will, teachers and 
scholars, to remain after the Sunday School, and then for 
twenty minutes conduct as earnest a gospel meeting as is 
possible. Do not leave it too much to chance, but have 
it arranged beforehand, so that the warmest prayers will 
be offered from the warmest hearts, and the most urgent, 
sensible and heartfelt invitations given to accept Christ. 
Let it be clearly understood what accepting Christ means 
and involves, and give the invitation to any who would be 
Christians to express it in some way. Have four or five 
of these meetings on successive Sundays, and, if they are 
of the right kind, it is almost certain that some will declare 
themselves as desiring to begin the Christian life. 

THE WORK JUST BEGUN. 

Then the work is just begun, and just there comes in 
the especial opportunity for the Christian Endeavor Soci- 



290 Waj/s and Means. 

ety. Then take these boys and girls, these young men 
and women, follow them up, get them to the weekly meet- 
ing, see that they take some further stand for Christ, set 
them at work, put the arms of loving interest around them, 
and it will not be long before they have taken the second 
and third steps in the Christian life, and soon they will be 
active members of the church of God. 

The great thing is to take the first step, and this the 
Sunday School prayer-meeting enables them to do natu- 
rally and appropriately. Moreover, we have the younger 
people at Sunday School, if nowhere else, and until their 
interest has been aroused and their hearts touched, we 
cannot always get them into our society meetings. But be 
very sure not to drop them after they have expressed an 
interest and a desire to follow Christ, or else their latter 
state may be worse than the former. However young and 
apparently thoughtless they are follow them up after this 
entering wedge has been driven, in the Sunday School 
prayer-meeting, until they are thoroughly committed to, 
and identified with, the right side. 

THE AFTER MEETING. 

Another most effective evangelistic method which can be 
used in many churches, is the "After Meeting." Follow- 
ing the Sunday evening service, let the invitation be given 
to all who will to remain for a short prayer-meeting. At 
this meeting have everything — singing, praying, speaking 
— short, crisp, earnest, full of heart. At the end, give the 
invitation to acknowledge Christ, and even if none accept 
it the first evening, repeat it the second and third. Very 
likely, however, many in your church are waiting for just 
such an opportunity which they have not yet had. 

"DRAWING THE NET." 

Do not be afraid of drawing the net, or, in other words, 
of giving the unconverted an opportunity to express their 
decision for or against Christ. 1 do not by any means 
say that this invitation should be given at every meeting 



Waj/s and Means. 291 

through the year, but in these special meetings of a revival 
nature, it can seldom safely be omitted. Many, I know, 
shrink from this invitation, and not unnaturally. They fear 
that if not accepted by any one it will result in more harm 
than good. It is easy to reason one's self out of it and 
to give a score of good reasons for not extending it, but 
these are often temptations of the enemy to neglect a duty. 

By a few judicious words, any evil tendencies may be 
avoided, the real nature of, and reason for, the invitation 
can be explained, and the burden of accepting or reject- 
ing it can be rolled heavily upon the hearts of those who 
have never said, "As for me, I will serve the Lord." 

I should not dare, at such a time, to neglect this invita- 
tion, lest the blood of some souls at last should be found 
on my soul. At the same time, it must be given simply 
and quietly and with the utmost solemnity, and only after 
and accompanied with, heartfelt prayer. 

Thus given it can never do harm, and no soul can say, 
" I did not have the matter presented to me clearly and 
definitely by the Christians who ought thus to have pre- 
sented it." 

VARIOUS METHODS. 

There are various ways of drawing the net ; no stereo- 
typed method can always be followed, but in some way 
each soul should be faced with the question : " Will you 
now and here decide for Christ and express this decision V 

There are also many other special methods of evangel- 
istic work which can be devised, but I will only mention 
one more. 

ASSIGN INDIVIDUALS TO INDIVIDUALS. 

This is being done in some societies, and I am sure the 
importance of this method can hardly be overstated. To 
each warm-hearted, active member assign some one or 
more associate members, or some one outside of the soci- 
ety altogether. Do this quietly and discreetly. Do not 



292 Ways and Means. 

parade it, and, if possible, do not let the associate mem- 
bers know that it has been done. 

Then let the active member rest not until the one 
specially committed to him has had every good influence 
thrown around him which may bring him to Christ. This, 
too, must be done wisely and judiciously with sanctified 
common-sense, but it must be done if we would see the re- 
sults for which we are praying this winter. These are 
only some of the methods. The evangelistic efforts which 
Christian Endeavor Unions may make have been, and will 
be, described elsewhere. But in some way, dear friends, 
shall we not so pray and labor, that the angels' song, 
as the months and years pass on, may mean more than it 
does now to thousands of our associate members, " Glory 
to God in the Highest, on earth peace, good-will to men." 
God grant it ! 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

OUR SOCIETY AND OUR REVIVAL. 

BY REV. JOHN L. SEWALL. 

Two good things have come to us this winter : a Society 
of Christian Endeavor, starting last November and growing 
steadily ever since ; and a revival of religion in connection 
with special meetings during the latter part of January. 
The connection between the two is worth noticing. 

I. Our society before the revival. There was no spe- 
cial religious interest at the time of its organization, only a 
feeling that something must be done for the youth of this 
community, and an expectation that a blessing was not 
far distant. The active membership brought together the 
younger members of our church, and because of the 
responsibility, now felt for the first time, greatly increased 
their activity. Our weekly church prayer-meetings, while 
far better than the average, were marked by long pauses, 



WafS and Mca^is. 293 

lack of heartiness, and a total absence of unconverted 
young people. These meetings soon showed improvement. 
The younger members of the church took more part, and 
young people not Christians began to drop in, having first 
found their way through the society meetings. A surpris- 
ingly large associate membership joined us at the start, 
and their presence was a strong incentive to active mem- 
bers to faithfulness and earnest, specific prayer. 

2. Our society in the revival. The revival began, if at 
any one point, in our first consecration meeting, at the 
close of the old year. This was anticipated by us all 
with much anxiety; but it proved to be one of those 
meetings where, with wise leadership and the Spirit's pres- 
ence, a new power appears in one and another Christian 
heart. When Mr. A. L. Parsons, the evangelist, came to 
us, we were ready from the first to listen and to labor. 
Our active membership furnished \yilling and efficient 
workers; those who could be depended upon for song, for 
prayer, for testimony, for private personal work, for help in 
the inquiry room. And our associate membership — here 
was the material for conversions. It was noteworthy that 
the first fifteen or twenty conversions were wholly among 
these members, or others who were expecting to join 
them. 

3. Our society after the special meetings. I am glad I 
need not say after the revival, for that time has not yet 
come. Although we have come back to our ordinary serv- 
ices, the Spirit is still working in individual hearts. 
Twenty or more associate members have come over to the 
active list, and find in their new obligations just what they 
long to do for their newly-found Master. All who were 
active members before the meetings have learned new 
meanings in that word " active". Some who felt that they 
"could never pray in public or lead a meeting," now rejoice 
to do both. The possibilities of work which the special 
meetings taught, are to be realized in coming days in our 



294 Ways and Means. 

society, which furnishes a most natural and effective place 
for the exercise of those gifts which are equally cause and 
effect of revivals. 

Lesson First. If you want a revival, get together all the 
young Christians you can find, whether there be six, six- 
teen, or sixty, and let them organize into a regular Society 
of Endeavor, and live up to their obligations. Sooner or 
later the revival will come. 

Lesso7t Second. If you have had a revival, start without 
delay a Society of Christian Endeavor. It will keep the 
young life alive, and help it to grow by exercise and sym- 
pathy. It will hold young converts till a pastor's training- 
class can make them ready for church membership. There 
may be other ways of accomplishing this same end, but can 
any one mention a way which has been proved to be 
better? 



Wajys ayid Means, 295 



PART XX. 

THE SOCIETY AS A PART OF THE 
CHURCH. 

SUSTAINING THE CHURCH SERVICES. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

I have frequently had something to say about the duty 
of Christian Endeavorers in sustaining the other services 
of the church with the same fidelity that they sustain their 
own meetings. It is a subject worth emphasizing, and 
you will do me a favor by giving special attention to the 
matter, for the honor of our society depends upon the 
faithfulness of its members to the services of the church 
quite as much as to the meetings of the society. 

From what I learn, from a very wide correspondence 
with pastors in all parts of the country, I am convinced 
that all the services are recruited and reinforced by the 
influence of the society, and the few exceptions which 
relate to the Sunday evening service, are scarcely enough 
to prove the rule. However, none of us want the rule 
proved in this way, for, throughout all the land, we would 
have no exception to the uniform rule that every society 
aids and reinforces every service of its church. 

THE MORNING SERVICE. 

Let me remind you again how much your regular pres- 
ence in your own place and your interested attention will 
help your pastor. You who have always sat in the pew 
and never in the pulpit, can have little idea how a minis- 
ter's heart sinks within him when he glances over the con- 
gregation and sees one-half or one-quarter of the family 



296 Waj/s and Means. 

pews vacant. He may have been laboring half the week 
over a sermon for your special help, and then to see that 
you are not in your place to hear is more than a disap- 
pointment, I assure you; it is almost a mortification. Nor 
can you understand how a pastor comes to rely on a few 
"stand-by's." They are always on hand, and during the 
sermon have their eyes fixed on him, w^hile he gains more 
inspiration and courage for his message from those per- 
sons than from all the rest of the congregation put 
together. Be one of those few, let me beg of you, my 
friend, and if your pastor doesn't rise up to call you 
blessed, he is a different man from what I take him to be. 

AT THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

Then there is the Sunday School service ! An excellent 
place and time to put Christian Endeavor principles into 
practice is that. Let the superintendent count on you just 
as the pastor does. If you are a teacher, do not be one of 
those nuisances who can be depended on only to be absent 
half the time without any good excuse ; and if you are a 
scholar, do for your teacher, when the Sunday School hour 
comes, just what I have been urging you to do for your 
pastor during the church service. 

AT THE WEEK-NIGHT PRAYER-MEETING. " 

Another place where we can all be of special service 
is at the week-night church prayer-meeting. The quality 
of your Christian life and the value of your society will be 
gauged even more by your helpfulness in this meeting 
than by your fidelity to your own. Older people are very 
apt to say, " Well, those young folks seem to have pretty 
good meetings for their society, but before I approve of it, 
I am going to see how much they help our regular church 
meetings." Show these doubters, as thousands of socie- 
ties have shown, that since you have learned to be faithful 
to one duty you have learned, at the same time, to be 
faithful to every duty, and that the weekly prayer-meeting 
has more young people and more help from the young 



Wajys and Means. 297 

people than ever before ; and then the last lingering 
objection to the society will disappear. 

AT THE SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE. 

I speak of this last, for this Sunday evening service, 
when it follows the Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting, is 
often the greatest test of our loyalty to the church. On 
some accounts, the hour before the evening service is a 
good one for the Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting; on 
other accounts it is an unfortunate one, because their is 
a great temptation to run away and leave the evening serv- 
ice. It is not enough to say that more young people 
stay to it when it follows the Christian Endeavor service 
than would come out to it if there were no such service; 
that does not excuse those who ought to stay to it and do 
not. It is not enough to say that the children cannot stay 
to the later evening service. I am not writing to the little 
children or to invalids just now, but to the strong, hearty 
boys and girls and young men and women who make up 
the rank and file of our societies. It is sheer nonsense for 
them to say that they get so tired that they cannot attend 
a second evening service after sitting an hour in the Chris- 
tian Endeavor meeting. Those same boys, next Saturday 
afternoon, will sit three hours on the hard side of a pine 
board to watch a base-ball game, and wall be sorry then 
when it is over ; and those same girls, on the same Satur- 
day afternoon, if common rumor does not slander them, 
will spend three hours on their feet, in crowded stores, 
matching a piece of ribbon and buying a new hat ; and 
both boys and girls will sit three hours at a time in the 
schoolroom, five days in the week, with only a ten-minutes' 
recess. 

SUGAR OR SALT. 

A bright article which once appeared in The Golden 
Rule was addressed to older people who took the text 
"Ye are the salt of the earth" too literally, and stayed 
away from church when it rained a little, for fear of being 



298 Ways and Means. 

dissolved. I sincerely hope that none of the robust young 
men and women who compose our Christian Endeavor 
societies will consider themselves as made of such fragile 
stuff that they cannot attend two meetings, on the same 
evening, of an hour's duration each. If you are so frail, 
then I have no hesitation in saying, "Attend the church 
service if only one." Get excused from the Christian 
Endeavor Society on the ground that you are too feeble 
to attend its services, which, if true, is a perfectly legiti- 
mate excuse ; but a plan better still for every young per- 
son in average health is to embrace this opportunity to 
show that he can "endure (a little) hardness as a good 
soldier of Jesus Christ" by attending both services. For 
His sake suffer a little weariness, if need be. For His 
sake help the church, aid the pastor, strengthen your own 
Christian purpose, and exemplify the true character of our 
society by being present at every regular service of the 
church, "unless detained by some reason which you can 
conscientiously give to the Master, Jesus Christ." 
Your Friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

GAINING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE CHURCH. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

In the course of a month I have a good many letters of 
about the same purport; namely, how a society can obtain 
or increase the confidence of pastor and church in its pur- 
poses and plans. Evidently, among our twelve thousand 
societies there are quite a number whose churches have 
not yet learned what a royal and loyal helper a Christian 
Endeavor Society may be. According to a well-known 
story, these churches regard the societies as the little boy 
in the Sunday School class regarded the camel, as chiefly 
"good for circuses." In real distress or anxiety more than 
one correspondent writes: " How can we interest our older 



Waj/s and Means. 299 

friends more in our work?" Let me suggest one or two 
ways. 

THE HONORARY MEMBERS. 

First remind the honorary members of their membership. 
Perhaps the pastor and deacons and elders and Sunday 
School superintendent do not know of the almost universal 
rule in our societies, which makes them, by virtue of their 
office, honorary members. 

While you possibly have considered them a little distant 
and offish, they may have thought you exclusive and self- 
centered, and the very first thing to do is to break down 
these imaginary barriers, for I am sure they are only imag- 
inary. If it has never been understood by your society 
that these officers are honorary members, put that clause 
distinctly into your constitution, and then let the honorary 
members know of their relation to the society, and invite 
them to come occasionally to your meetings. 

GET THEM INTO THE MEETINGS. 

After all, the great thing is to get together. When you 
have once persuaded them to come into your meetings a 
few times, and when they see what you are really trying to 
do, and how the young people's meeting has been quick- 
ened and revived by the society, there will be no more dis- 
tance on their part. It is a very old story about the man 
who saw his own brother through the fog, and, thinking 
that he was some horrible monster, was dreadfully scared 
until he got near enough to see that it was only his own 
brother John, after all. If we see the best Christian 
brother through the fog of prejudice, he is apt to look 
distorted, but it all comes right when we get near enough 
to each other. If the invitation is not at first accepted 
by the honorary members, renew it and renew it, until at 
last they come. 

Perhaps it would be well to tell one of them that you 
want a five-minute talk from him at the close of the prayer- 
meeting. See if he is not on hand to give it. 



300 Waj/s and Means. 

GIVE NO CAUSE OF OFFENCE. 

Possibly some pastors and churches have just reason to 
think that the society is less thoughtful than it ought to be 
of the other interests of the church. Then remove that 
rock of stumbling. Perhaps your pastor has seen some of 
you go away from the Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting 
when he thought you had no good reason for not staying 
to the evening service. Next Sunday evening let him see 
you all in your places, listening to his sermon ; follow this 
plan week after week, and see if his last prejudice does not 
disappear. 

Do you say, "More of us go to the evening service now 
than ever before, far more than would go if the Christian 
Endeavor meeting did not come first t " This is not to the 
point. Our principles are that every o?ie should go to the 
second service, "unless detained by a reason which he can 
conscientiously present to the Master." Give your pastor 
and all the other church-members an ocular demonstration 
of this principle of the society every Sunday evening. 

OFFER YOUR SERVICES. 

Then let me say once more, offer your services in any 
way available. Do not take it for granted that all the 
church-members know your intentions, but ask if there isn't 
something more you can do. Let the lookout committee 
send its chairman to the pastor to hnd out if there is not 
something more it can do. Let the Sunday School com- 
mittee propound the same question to the Sunday School 
superintendent ; then let the music committee tender its 
services, if the pastor would like the singing in the weekly 
prayer-meetings reinforced, as I warrant you he does. In 
fact, let every committee remember that its duties are not 
ended until it has done the last thing that the church de- 
sires to have done in its line. Try these different plans, 
and see if the imaginary barriers, should any such exist, 
between your society and the rest of the church, are not 



Waj/s and Means. 301 

burned away by the kindling flame of Christian love be- 
tween old and young. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH YEAR. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

CONCERNING BEGINNINGS. 

In my estimation one of the most critical seasons of the 
year is just upon us, for the early fall is the beginning of 
the society year with many of us. The church calendar 
has of late years re-arranged itself, and the first month of 
the church year is September. January is early harvest 
time, May is late in the fall, and midsummer, so far as 
church activities are concerned, is barren midwinter. I 
am not saying that this is as it should be, but in this 
topsy-turvy world we frequently must take things as they 
are, and try to make them better. And certainly we are 
obliged to recognize the fact that the annual vacation from 
school and business implies, in a great many churches, a 
vacation from certain forms of church activity. So long as 
people go away from home in large and increasing num- 
bers, at one particular season, the work in those churches 
from which they go must in some measure be curtailed. 

Our societies, while they stimulate and aid, also reflect 
the life of the church to which they belong, and it is 
inevitable that if the activities of the church suffer during 
the vacation season, the society will suffer too. 

But I will take it for granted that we have at last come 
together again. Only the late stragglers are still away. 
As we came out from this week's meeting, we said to each 
other, "It looks like old times, doesn't it?" and we took 
courage for a new year of work. This is just the time^ 
then, for us to take to heart two or three invaluable les- 
sons ; by learning these lessons thoroughly we can almost 



302 Ways and Means. 

turn the evils of the summer vacation into positive bless- 
ings. In the first place let us 

BEGIN. 

Frequently an immense amount of valuable time is 
frittered away at the beginning of the church year, simply 
because instead of actually going about our work we think 
about it and talk about it and plan for it, possibly, but 
practically say, "We can't expect very much just yet, 
the meetings will be rather thin and not very interesting 
for awhile, we cannot expect too much at once ; about the 
first of January we m'ay look for results." In this way we 
feel quite comfortable, and delude ourselves that we are 
really doing all that can be expected at this time of the 
year. 

The summer vacation would be by no means the disas- 
trous thing it is in the church, did it not take so long to 
recover from it. Obviously, the only thing for us to do in 
beginning our society work is to begin, just as one of our 
greatest statesmen told us, when gold was at an immense 
premium, that the way to resume, specie payments was to 
resume. The first of October, or the first of November, or 
the first of December, is no better time for vigorously com- 
mencing all branches of our society work than this very 
day of grace; in fact, not nearly so good a time. 

BEGIN HEARTILY. 

Let the president call all the committees together, if this 
has not yet been done, and let each committee lay out its 
campaign for the coming six months, and begin that cam- 
paign the same day. The trouble with some of our gene- 
rals in the Civil War was that they never found the conven- 
ient time to begiji their campaigns in good earnest. They 
were most excellent strategists; they could plan to a 
nicety just how things ought to be done, but the trouble 
was that the time never seemed to come when they could 
carry out their admirable plans. Either the roads were too 
muddy, or the streams were too swollen, or the enemy had 



Waj/s and Means. 303 

too many troops, or the Union army had too few, and so 
precious years were wasted, and the cruel war dragged its 
slow length along. This policy of *' masterly inactivity," I 
fear, is imitated by some of our societies at the beginning 
of the new year of work. If we belong to such society, let 
lis remember that our Captain sends us orders to " push 
things," and to do it at once. 

Our vacation has done us little good unless we have 
come back from it healthier and heartier than we went 
away. Let us show this gain in the hearty, earnest way 
we take hold of our work. Let us resolve that the best 
meetings, the most earnest work for souls, the most efficient 
committee work that our societies have ever known, shall 
be characteristic of this year's service, and remember that 
to-day's service is a very important part of the year's ser- 
vice. If our work in September is begun in a careless, 
indifferent, nonchalant way the whole year will suffer in 
consequence. But it is necessary not only to begin our 
work, and to begin it heartily, but it is especially import- 
ant to 

BEGIN RIGHT. 

There is no better time to shake off the incubus o( 
bad methods and past mistakes than just at the beginning 
of the new church year. If there has been carelessness 
about the pledge, now is just the time to tone up the con- 
science of the society, being very careful that each one of 
us begins with his own individual conscience. 

If some of the committees have been inefficient and 
practically worthless, find out what the trouble is. Per- 
haps there is no reason for the existence of these commit- 
tees in your particular church. If so, disband them 
promptly; but if they are needed, as most likely they are, 
see that they do their work and do it well. 

Perhaps you have not monthly reports from the commit- 
tees, and this little addition to the monthly business meet- 
ing may make all the difference between earnest, hearty." 



304 Waj/s and Means. 

persistent effort, and slipshod methods that never have 
any report to give of themselves, because nothing is ever 
done. Then introduce this change at once, and see if it 
does not revolutionize some branches of the work. 

Possibly the members of your society have not been as 
regular in their attendance at the church prayer-meeting, 
or as ready to participate in it as they should have been. 
Here, then, is a place to begin. Bring up this matter in 
the society meeting, stir each other up, " by way of remem- 
brance," and see that you individually turn over this new 
leaf, if there is need of it. 

Perhaps, last year, through the agency of your society, 
very few, possibly none, of the associate members were 
brought to Christ. If so, see that no such thing can be 
recorded of your society next September, by beginning 
now, vigorously, earnestly, affectionately, to bring your 
companions to Christ. 

If, as the poet says, " Every day is a fresh beginning," 
surely, every new church year is a capital time for a fresh 
beginning. We need not be hampered by last year's 
failures and shortcomings. We can put off the old year 
with its deeds, as well as the old man. There is no time 
to do this in all the twelve months nearly so good as 

just 710W. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

THE ALUMNI OF Y. P. S. C. E. — FHE CHURCH 
OF THE FUTURE. 

BY A PASTOR. 

The "graduate" idea occurred to the writer many months 
ago, as doubtless it has suggested itself in some form to 
others who have thought, in connection with the future of 
the society, of those who soon will possess only in memory 
the days of their youth. 



Waj/s and Mea7is. 305 

The distinctive feature of this movement consists in the 
fact that though the society was started by the church and 
for the church, it is of the young. 

As the idea above alluded to has been lately brought to 
the front, and as it is a subject which must inevitably 
come to the surface, as the years go by, it is worth more 
than a passing glance. 

While persons who join by profession the church of 
Christ, become members for life, the hundreds of thou- 
sands who now belong to the Young People's Societies of 
Christian Endeavor, in a score or more of years, will be no 
longer members, for the obvious reason that they will be 
no longer young. 

If the older members of our churches, and the older per- 
sons in our communities do not, from the nature of the 
case, join the society, although occasional attendants upon 
the meetings, when these hosts of young people who now 
constitute the membership of these societies shall them- 
selves have become elderly people, they will necessarily pass 
the reins and the membership of the organization into the 
hands of the younger generation ; graduating from the 
institution, like the students of a college or seminary, who 
hold the relation of alumni to their Alma Mater. ^vX a 
graduate from one of the colleges of Christian Endeavor, 
while he will ever cherish filial affection and a special 
interest in its behalf, will not only hold some sort of a rela- 
tion to it, not now determined, since the time has not 
arrived for any *' Alumni Association," but will also have 
entered more fully upon the great work for w^hich these 
"colleges" are founded, the more rapid development of the 
kingdom of heaven on earth, through a disciplined church, 
where every one is armed and equipped for establishing 
the reign of the Redeemer in the hearts and lives of men. 
It is this grand foundation-work for the church of the 
future, which the society is doing in its devotional and mis- 
sionary spirit, that warms the faith of every lover of the 



3o6 Wafs and Means. 

kingdom of our Lord, When these young people of one 
score and five and under, shall have reached the years of 
three score and ten and over, what golden harvests will be 
gathered from the ripeness of their Christian experience, 
growing richer and richer from the days of their youth. 

Had such a movement as this, for the special training of 
young people in the Christian life, been started a third of 
a century ago, and God certainly was ready for one, there 
would not be so many lock-jawed members as there are 
to-day in some of our churches. 

An old minister of the last century, a predecessor of the 
writer, in a Massachusetts parish, observing, one Sunday, 
that a person in his congregation had gaped his jaw out of 
joint, and was listening with mouth wide open, descended 
from the pulpit and adjusted the man's jaw. But in some 
of our churches to-day, pastors find it more difficult to pry 
open the mouths of the members than to shut any whose 
owners cannot do it themselves. 

The adult members in some of our churches, who are 
active in the prayer-meeting, who are zealous in missionary 
enterprise, whose hearts yearn for the conversion of the 
world and the universal dominion of the Redeemer, these 
form the exception rather than the rule. But the adult 
members in our churches, in the next century, who will be 
inactive in the prayer-meeting, listless in plans for benevo- 
lence, and hindrances instead of helps, will constitute the 
exception, and, in most of the churches, they will be very 
rare. 

For, if from these many scores of thousands, during 
these seven years of plenty, so much has already been 
gathered to feed the church of God, how much more may 
yet be expected from the great numbers who are to enter 
these societies during the years of still greater spiritual 
plenty, ere the new century shall have dawned upon us ! 

As the acorn contains, in embryo, the material for the 
great tree that is to weather the storms of. the centuries, so 



Waj/s and Means. 307 

these societies of Christian youth hold the forces for that 
church of the future, which will be built up in the strength 
and beauty of a complete spiritual maturity, able to meet 
the social and moral conflicts awaiting the country and 
nations in the coming century. 

The Lord baptize with the glory of His power, His king- 
dom of young people, who hold in their hands the desti- 
nies of the church that is to be ! 



308 Wajys and Means, 



PART XXI. 

SOCIETIES IN CITY AND COUNTRY. 

CONCERNING A LARGE SOCIETY. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

A few weeks ago the question was sent in to the ques- 
tion-box as to what should be done when a society became 
too large ; whether it was best to form two societies, or 
restrict the membership. I was able to answer it very 
briefly at that time, and promised to take up the subject 
again. I should be glad of the experience of those who 
have met and vanquished this practical difficulty, but per- 
haps I cannot do better than give my view on the subject, 
in this familar corner. 

OBJECTIONS TO A LARGE SOCIETY. 

It is said with some plausibility, that after a society 
reaches a certain limit, it is impossible for all to fulfill the 
prayer-meeting pledge. Or that, if it is attempted, only a 
minute or half a minute can be taken by each one, and so 
no one will have a chance to speak "to edification." But, 
after all, these objections are more plausible than real. 
The effort should not be to curtail the society, but to cur- 
tail the length of the speeches. Very few have any idea 
how many can take part in a single hour, and do it intelli- 
gently, reverently, helpfully. 

Often a radically 

WRONG IDEA OF THE PRAYER-MEETING 

lies at the bottom of this objection. Let it be said and 
repeated and re-repeated, the prayer-meeting is not the 
place for a speech, or for eloquent periods, or for practice 



Wafs and Means. 309 

in oratory, or even for what are generally termed " edifying 
remarks." This idea has very nearly been the death of the 
prayer-meeting, and it is the hardest idea possible to eradi- 
cate. There are plenty of other places for the exercise of 
eloquence — the pulpit, the platform, the stump — let the 
prayer-meeting be sacred to something better and higher. 
It does not require five minutes, or three minutes, or two 
minutes to offer an earnest prayer, or to give a helpful tes- 
timony. The Publican could offer his prayer in one-tenth 
part of a minute (time his petition, and see), and yet it was 
one of the most effective prayers ever offered. The Phari- 
see's prayer was a good minute in length, but though it 
was ten times as long, it was quite ten times as weak. 

A SUM IN ARITHMETIC. 

Let us do a little sum in arithmetic. Here is a society 
of three hundred active members (I have never heard of a 
society as large as this, and there are very few that will 
ever have half as many active members); supposing that 
five-sixths of them are present at every regular meeting — 
a very large proportion — then there would be time for 
every one of them to "take part" to the extent that the 
Publican did in the Temple, and then leave one-half of the 
hour for the long pauses which are so familiar in many a 
prayer-meeting. 

But the fact is, very few societies number now, or ever 
will number, over one hundred and fifty active members. 
(There is a limit to the number of young people in any 
church.) Not more than three-fourths of them, on the av- 
erage, can be present at the prayer-meeting at one time, 
then it will rarely happen that there will be many more 
than one hundred present who are pledged to take part in 
any meeting. For this one hundred, or one hundred and 
twenty, who will usually constitute the outside limit of par- 
ticipants in a large society, there will be ample time in the 
course of the hour, for a sensible, unhurried, reverent par- 
ticipation. Many will offer sentence prayers; others will 



310 IVaj/s and Means. 

repeat brief verses of Scripture; to others, who have a 
longer message, can be accorded a little more time ; but, if 
there is promptness and a true conception of what consti- 
tutes a good meeting, there will be no lack of time for the 
participation of all. The fact is, a great many people have 
never learned the possibilities of a Christian Endeavor 
prayer-meeting, or know how much of earnest, sensible 
testimony and prayer can be crowded into sixty minutes. 

If you had been with me at Chicago, or at the recent 
Christian Endeavor days at Round Lake, or at any one of 
a dozen other assemblies, where I have been of late, and 
had enjoyed those meetings, where a' hundred and fifty 
participating in the course of an hour would be a very 
moderate estimate, you would not talk again about limiting 
your membership. 

THE LEADER. 

But much depends upon the leader. If he gives out 
four hymns, and sings six stanzas of each; if he reads 
seventy-nine verses of Ezekiel, offers a prayer ten minutes 
long, and takes another fifteen minutes in "opening" the 
meeting, of course there will not be time for all to fulfill 
their pledge. The meeting will be so thoroughly opened 
that every one else will be shut up. I was in a meeting 
not long ago where the leader took up thirty minutes of 
the precious forty-five in the opening exercises, and there 
were at least fifty in the room who had pledged them- 
selves, and were ready to take part. This was simply an 
outrage upon the meeting. A leader with no more 
common-sense than that ought to be labored with, or, at 
least, never appointed again. An eight-year-old boy, who 
could only give out the number of the hymns, and read 
two verses of Scripture, would make a better leader. Too 
much time is often taken up in singing, also. It is a sign 
of weakness if some one is constantly giving out a hymn 
"to take up the time." "Don't work the singing-book too 
hard," is good advice. 



Waj^s and Means. 311 

DR. DUBIOUS. 

Now do not shake your head, my dear Dr. Dubious, and 
tell me that you are very fearful that such a meeting will 
be "a mere scroppy patchwork of disjointed thoughts and 
vain repetitions." You are talking from theory now, and 
not from experience, I am sure. Attend a genuine prayer- 
meeting, where five hundred are anxious to give their testi- 
mony, and where two hundred succeed in the course of an 
hour, and you will not talk about limiting the number of 
your members again. 

THE INTENT OF THE PLEDGE. 

Besides, it ought to be said that if one goes with his 
heart prepared, and with his mind made up to fulfill his 
prayer-meeting obligation, and to do it promptly, and then 
gets crowded out (something that will very rarely happen), 
he has, to all intents and purposes, performed his duty. 

But let no one lightly ease his conscience in this way, by 
saying that the time was well occupied, and there was no 
room for him. I have frequently heard young people say 
that there was no opportunity for them to take their part, 
when several minutes went to waste at the beginning of 
the meeting. The truth was, they were not ready at the 
beginning to help the meeting, where it most needed help, 
and so they lost their chance; but because the last few 
minutes were well occupied, and they found no chance 
just then, they cannot be held free of the charge of break- 
ing their pledge. The trouble with all such is, that they 
do not light their torch before they come. They wait for 
the heat and fire that is generated in the meeting. No 
wonder they lose their opportunity, and break their word. 

In a very large society it may be well to give opportu- 
nity, at the close of the meeting, for those who have not 
taken part verbally, to do so by rising, thus declaring 
that they are Christians. But, after all, there is no real 
difficulty on this score. The real difficulty is in the lack 
of personal, individual influence upon each member, active 



312 Wa^s and Means. 

and associate, which it is much harder to exert in a very 
large society than in a small one ; but even this diffi- 
culty can be overcome by persistence, patience and grace. 
Your Friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR WORK IN THE COUNTRY. 

BY MRS. E. M. WINSLOW. 

One of the questions often asked concerning a business 
is, "Does it pay?" or, in other words, ''Is it a success?" 
To the question, "Is the Young People's Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor a success in the country?" the answer is, 
Yes. That there are disadvantages connected with a 
country work is true, but, taking the year through, they are 
no greater than those found in the centres of population. 
In cities and towns, the theatre, opera and dance, together 
with card-parties, socials and lectures, are almost constant 
sources of temptation to neglect the work and the meet- 
ings of the society, and, no doubt, are often allowed to 
keep many away from its direct influence, who would 
become associate members, and, in time, be brought into 
the fold of Christ. Nearly all of these things have but 
slight influence in the country. The theatre and opera, of 
course, are not there. The dance, at times, with some, 
has an influence in the wrong direction, but as for socials 
and lectures and such gatherings, they can generally be so 
arranged as not to conflict with the society's meetings. 

NATURAL DISADVANTAGES. 

The disadvantages incident to this kind of work in the 
country seem, to a great extent, to be natural, and their 
influence over the spiritual life is neither so powerful nor 
so deadly as those disadvantages found in cities and 
towns, which are the result of men's inventions. The cold 
of winter, the heat of summer, the rain and mud, are fac- 
tors which must be frequently considered. In a certain 



Waj/s and Means. 3 1 3 

community, the same subject and leader were advertised 
from the pulpit four successive Sundays, owing to the fact 
that every Friday night there was a storm. The same 
storm would not have prevented the young people from 
gathering, had they lived in town, but the darkness and 
mud were obstacles which could not, in the country, be 
easily overcome. This, to be sure, is an exceptional 
instance in its successive recurrence, but it indicates one 
of the disadvantages of country work. Distance must also 
be taken into consideration. There are regular attendants 
of this society of which I write, who live nine miles apart, 
the place of meeting being half-way between. During the 
busy season of the year, especially when the days are long, 
it seems almost impossible for the young people from the 
farms to get together before half-past eight; and the con- 
sequence is that they do not start for home till hard-work- 
ing people should be asleep. But when it is remembered 
by these same young people that they can meet at a party 
and stay till midnight, and go right on with their accus- 
tomed duties the next day, they generally conclude that a 
little self-denial, for the cause of the Master, will not seri- 
ously injure them, and they are usually found at their post 
of duty. 

ADVANTAGES OF COUNTRY SOCIETIES. 

It is sometimes said, "There is no rose without its 
thorn," so it may be said that there is no work without its 
drawbacks and hard places. As it is not wisdom to 
always be looking for thorns, neither is it wise to look only 
at the obstacles to be met by a society in the country, for 
there is another, brighter side. The advantage of not 
having the world's most fascinating allurements to contend 
with has already been mentioned. There is a community 
of interest in the country, and a feeling of fellowship, 
which is not found in our cities and towns until much time 
and labor have been expended to bring them about; and 
happy is that church or society which gains them even by 



314 Waj/s and Means. 

diligent effort. This interest in one another makes young 
people more ready to do just such work as the society 
demands. An incident, not given because such incidents 
are rare in the community in which it occurred, will illus- 
trate with w^hat promptness this feeling manifests itself 
along the line of Christian effort. Not long since, a young 
lady came to the home of a friend in one of the rural dis- 
tricts of Kansas. After a few days, she said, " The people 
around here are nearly all religious, are they not?" On 
being answered in the affirmative, she said, "Well, I am 
not; but the people need not know it." Her friend said, 
"They will find it out." " How ? " 'she asked. "They 
will ask if you are a Christian," was the reply. She 
thought her distant bearing would keep them from so per- 
sonal a question, but it was not long before her fancied 
secret was known, and the young people began to work 
and pray that their God might be her God. The end is 
not yet. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor 
proves itself a success in the country in that it secures the 
object for which it was organized ; it strengthens and 
develops the Christian life of its members ; and not only 
does it do this, but it is one of the important helps in 
bringing souls to Christ. It is customary in a certain 
country society, as it is, doubtless, in many others, to have 
those who are diffident and weak lead the meetings, as 
well as those who are more active. During the thir- 
teen months since its organization, no person has been 
appointed leader more than twice, and only a few have 
been thus privileged. To lead the meeting seems almost 
to revolutionize some members, at least so far as their 
activity in meetings is concerned; they have learned how 
much the leader needs the help of every one, and their 
individual responsibility can no longer be lightly thrown 
upon others. The spirit of criticism, sometimes seen in 
religious gatherings, and which is as much to be dreaded 



Wafs and Means. 315 

as a blast from the frozen zone upon a garden of flowers, 
is absent, and a feeling of sympathy and kindness mani- 
fested in its stead. Mr. Formality, in his starchiest suit, 
has not been admitted ; it is thought advisable that he 
remain outside the fold. Sincerity and earnestness are 
very noticeable features of this country work. Among the 
number of those who have been brought into the church 
within the last year, is a young man who has experienced 
the benefits and disadvantages of city life. He attributes 
his change to the earnest way in which the gospel was pre- 
sented, and said that it was "through the mercy of God 
that he was led to attend the meetings of the society." 

IMPORTANCE OF THE COUNTRY WORK. 

Christian endeavor work in the country should not be 
lightly esteemed. The tendency of the people of this 
land, it is true, is toward cities, with a feeling that the 
desired and desirable things of life are there. The coun- 
try is too apt to be looked upon as a necessary evil, which 
must be endured till sufficient means are gained to move 
to town. But history repeats itself, and what has been 
true will be true, and in the country to-day are to be found 
a large proportion of the men and women who, in after 
years, will be moulding and shaping the destiny of this 
nation, and, through it, the destiny of the whole world. It 
is not an insignificant matter that the power of religion of 
the Lord Jesus Christ be brought to bear upon the young 
people of the country in its most effective way. Country 
parishes ought, wherever possible, to have societies of 
Christian endeavor, for the society, properly conducted, 
will develop a true Christian life. Complaint is sometimes 
made about the monotony of country life. The meetings 
of the society, properly attended, do away with the cause 
for this complaint. By means of them the young people 
have an opportunity to see each other once a week, and 
enjoy one another's presence in the best and most advan- 
tageous way. 



3i6 Ways and Means. 

Country life, while it has many benefits, is not the one 
of ease and freedom that it is sometimes thought to be. 
A young man told the writer that, two years ago, he ran a 
harvester day and night, and that one week he slept but 
fourteen hours in all. He would work till he could not go 
any longer, and then fall over and sleep an hour, and then 
get up and go on with his work. This seems to be the 
spirit in which much of the farm work is carried on in 
Kansas ; get just as much done as possible, with as little 
time spent in eating and sleeping as nature will permit. 
Country life must be experienced to be fully appreciated 
and understood. It is a good thing for a people so 
pressed down with work, to throw off their burden for a 
time and come together in a social meeting. It is a won- 
derful strengthener for both body and spirit. So say they 
who are Christians, and practise it. The Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor gives this opportunity to the young people, 
and to those whose hearts have not grown old. 



Waj/s and Means, 317 



PART XXII. 

WOMAN'S WORK. 

WOMAN'S WORK IN CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

BY MRS. ALICE MAY SCUDDER. 

"It is not good that man should be alone." Thus saith 
God in the Garden of Eden, thus He saith in Christian 
Endeavor. 

God created man first, but only for a few brief days in 
the entire existence of our race did God aHow him com- 
plete possession and mastery of all that he surveyed. 

As soon as God paused a moment in creation to view 
His work, he recognized the fact that man could not live 
alone. God recognized it, experience is constantly echoing 
it, and man, willingly or unwillingly, must give his assent 
to it. 

The world would have been very incomplete without 
womankind. Her ministrations are constant. From the 
moment that man utters his first salute to the new world 
which he has entered, until his voice is silenced by death, 
he is dependent on woman. The food he eats, the clothes 
he wears are largely the work of her hands. Not infre- 
quently he leans on her for no small share of his support. 
\ heard of a man once who, when questioned as to how he 
could afford to marry on so small a salary, said, "Why, 
John, I'll tell you how I did it. Before I was married, I 
could almost support myself, and now, that I have a good 
likely woman to help me, I can do so entirely." This man 
put a proper estimate on woman's work, and so do most 
men. There are a few dwarfs here and there who never 



3i8 IVaj/s and Means. 

get beyond valuing themselves — men of the pinch-penny 
type, who think only of their own existence. It was one 
of this sort who wished to bestow a gift of approval on his 
wife, and so decided, after long deliberation, to make her a 
present of twelve yards of cloth to make him some new 
shirts. This man, however, is an exception to the general 
rule. Most men love and value these helpmeets whom 
God has given them. 

The ministrations of woman are as varied as the figures 
in a kaleidoscope. The combinations change at every 
turn. In the home she is an example of constant and 
untiring devotion. Who can weigh or measure the influ- 
ence of a Christian mother? Day after day she chisels 
away, often discouraged, but never content until she gives 
to the world a noble Christian son or daughter, made by 
her own hand in the image of God. Most of the great 
men who are standing in the niches of time were thus 
fashioned. 

If woman is needed in the home circle, equally is she 
needed in the social world. "It is not good for man to be 
alone." That portion of our social fabric that is content to 
do without woman's presence and influence often represents 
the more depraved side of men. "Stag parties" seldom 
conduce toman's highest good. Cards, liquor, tobacco — 
these are too often the food on which the " stags " feed. In 
the society of women, especially Christian w^omen, the con- 
versation is pure, the companionship refining, and the 
whole tendency uplifting. It is a great mystery how young 
men can substitute trivial amusements for woman's society. 
Some young men are too wise to do this. Instead of 
spending all their spare time and money in club-rooms, 
they seek organizations where they can enjoy their pleas- 
ures by the side of their sisters or some one else's sisters. 
This young People's Society of Christian Endeavor is such 
an organization. Here a young man can have social enjoy- 
ments, literary pursuits, mental diversions, varied amuse- 



IVaj/s and Means. 319 

ments and an opportunity to spend money. But, bettel 
yet, he can have spiritual advantages that shall lift him 
morally above his fellows. This organization should be 
the mental and spiritual centre of every community. It 
can be if every Christian young woman in our land will do 
her part. What is her part, do you ask .? 

1. Be attractive. How quickly the world recognizes an 
attractive woman ! By her fascinations she can lead man 
where she will. Let a woman be thoroughly magnetized 
by the Lord Jesus Christ and she can draw people to the 
church, to prayer-meeting, and even to the foot of the 
cross. Some people object because a young man goes to a 
prayer-meeting to see a young woman (and it is not a very 
lofty motive for church attendance); but if a mother is not 
able to induce her son to attend church or prayer-meeting 
with her, she is very wise to encourage his acquaintance 
with any young lady who is able to draw him into the house 
of God. To catch fish you must entice them upon the 
fishing grounds within the reach of lines, and if men are to 
be caught for God, in some way they must be brought into 
the sanctuary. Young women must not think their work 
done until every young man over whom they have any influ- 
ence is brought into the religious meetings of the church, 
and especially into this Society of Christian Endeavor. 

2. Be talkative. This injunction may seem unneces- 
sary, for women are so proverbially talkative that it is an 
ever-present source of jesting. Women are talkative, but 
they are not responsible for that. God made them so. 
Where their responsibility does lie is in taking this gift 
and using it everywhere for God's service. Woe unto 
woman if, with all her social qualifications, she can lay 
no trophies at her Master's feet! Woman's voice must 
be heard in the prayer-room. Thirty years ago, one might 
as well have expected to hear the dead speak as to hear 
a woman in a public assembly ; but now our sisters sit in 
religious convention, and with cool nerves carry on the 



320 Ways and Means. 

meetings with as much capabihty as members of Parlia- 
ment. Times have changed, and our young women must 
be ready to meet the demands of the times. They will 
find themselves in embarrassing positions it they are 
not prepared to express the thoughts that lie within 
them. 

Make a firm resolve that you will speak or pray, even 
if, like a little child, you can say only one word at a time. 
If the right spirit is there, women cannot help speaking. 
Don't be discouraged if you do not edify the first or 
second time. Cheer yourself with the thought that men 
do not always speak to edification. 

There is another reason why our young women must 
learn to speak and pray. The young women of our Chris- 
tian Endeavor Societies to-day are to be the mothers ten 
or twenty years from now, and they must be praying 
mothers. If the boys of the future are to grow up strong 
enough to cope with the temptations of this wicked age, 
they must have mothers who can raise more than a silent 
prayer, and who are not afraid to speak the name of Jesus 
to their children. 

3. The last injunction is. Be spiritual. This is, after 
all, the most important qualification. A young lady may 
be attractive and talkative, and yet be a long way from a 
successful worker. There must be added a deep-seated 
consecration. Each should examine herself and find her 
weak points, and then determine, with God's help, to cor- 
rect them, for you may be certain that every defect of your 
personal character will hinder the work in your society. 
Ask yourself, Do I always keep my promises? Christian 
Endeavor has a pledge, do I keep it? Am I naturally 
tardy ? Christian Endeavor wants no dilatory people on 
her committees. Am I charitable in my opinions of 
others, or am I imprudent in speech ? Remember that 
the Social Committees require those who are "slow to 
anger" and "kindly affectioned one to another." Have 



Waj^s and Means. 321 

I the gentleness of my Master ? If not, ask God to give 
you the mind that was in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

In whatever you are deficient, endeavor to become pro- 
ficient. Thus by carefully cultivating all the graces shall 
each be enabled to go from strength to strength and from 
glory to glory, until all shall appear in Zion, before God. 



322 Waj/s and Means, 



PART XXIII. 

FAMILIAR LETTERS ON VARIOUS 
TOPICS 

DOUBTFUL AMUSEMENTS. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

I have a number of letters of late like the following: 
" Will you please tell us your opinion of theatre-going and 
card-playing"; or, " Is it right for an active member of the 
Society of Christian Endeavor to go to a dance? Please 
tell us what you think about these things." I do not know 
that I can do any better than say a few words in regard 
to them all in this letter. 

They all belong to the same class of questions of Chris- 
tian casuistry about which young people have more trouble 
than any other. The difficulty is, you always want an 
answer "yes" or "no" in regard to each particular case, 
and that is just the answer that ought not to be given. 
You want to shift upon somebody else the responsibility of 
deciding these questions for you which every young Chris- 
tian ought to decide for himself. If your pastor or your 
Sunday School teacher would only say, "Yes, you can go 
to this doubtful place of amusement," then you would feel 
perfectly easy about it and think that you had no further 
responsibility in the matter. But supposing your pastor 
should not know what you ought to do, or supposing your 
Sunday School teacher is mistaken ! 

After all, this is not God's way. He leaves it for every 
person to decide such questions for himself. This is part 
of our probationary discipline, and it is a poor way to shirk 



IJajs and Means. 323 

out of the serious problems of life to get some one else to 
decide them all for us. Said a young lady to me one day, 
when speaking of one of these debatable matters, " Now, I 
don't want you to give me general principles; I want you 
to say that 'I may' or 'I must not'." But, as I said 
before, God doesn't treat us in this way. He might have 
proclaimed a hundred commandments instead of ten, and, 
instead of confining the decalogue to the great fundamen- 
tal principles of right and wrong. He might have gone on 
to say: 

"Thou shalt not go to the theatre, but you may once in 
a while go to the opera." 

"Thou shalt not play cards." 

"Thou shalt not go to the ball, but you may dance 
square dances occasionally." 

I know a great many young people in America, in this 
nineteenth century who would be very much relieved if 
they could only find something of this sort written in the 
twentieth chapter of Exodus. 

But instead of doing anything of this sort God has given 
us each a conscience, and said to us, " Guard it well, keep 
it tender, see that it does not get warped or twisted, and 
then follow it." 

Instead of specifying every possible temptation into 
which the young American Christian might fall, he lays 
down certain grand, fundamental principles, which are just 
as good for His disciples in Jerusalem or Zululand as in 
America; certain principles which were just as good in 
the nineteenth century before Christ as they are to-day, 
and that will be just as good in the twenty-ninth century 
as they are in the nineteenth. 

"If meat make my brother to offend" — you know 
how to fill out that verse ; that is one of these verses. 
Read that whole chapter in which this verse occurs, and 
see how it answers almost every question which you can 
raise on these troublesome questions. Then there is 



324 Waj^s and Means. 

another class of precepts which bears on these matters. 
For instance, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all 
in the name of the Lord Jesus." "Whether, therefore, ye 
eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of 
God." 

Such verses are worth ten thousand specific commands, 
for they embrace all specific commands and give us a 
touchstone by which we can test every doubtful action. 
Such principles will always test character. Perhaps the 
young people of the year 2887 may not care much for 
progressive euchre or the German, but there will be some 
doubtful amusement whose indulgence will trouble their 
conscience, I am very sure, and these principles will be 
just as useful for them as they are for us. 

It would not hurt our conscience, perhaps, to ring the 
bells or play " tip-cat " on the village green, for times have 
changed since the days of the Bedford tinker, and amuse- 
ments have changed, too, but these games hurt Bunyan's 
conscience, and these same verses told him he was doing 
wrong when he was violating his conscience. 

THE ONLY TEST. 

This, then, is the only test. What in the light of God's 
Word will our consciences allow? Anything that our con- 
science disapproves, anything about which it troubles us, 
is wrong for us. "He that doubteth is condemned." 

I cannot keep your conscience, or you mine. I know 
what is wrong for me, you know what is wrong for you. 
No matter what others do or do not do. What you are 
doubtful about, as to whether it is right or wrong, is wrong 
for you until you have decided that it is right. Then go 
ahead and do it whatever others say, if you have no secret 
qualms, and if you can ask and have asked God's blessing 
upon that thing. 

A CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR PRINCIPLE HERE. 

After all, this is but the carrying out of one of our 
Christian Endeavor principles, which puts the burden for 



Waj/s and Means. 325 

the performance or non-performance of every duty on the 
individual conscience. In the Society, we promise to do 
certain things unless prevented by some "absolute neces- 
sity," and every one's conscience must decide what is an 
"absolute necessity" for him. If he can conscientiously 
give a reason to the Lord Jesus Christ for absence or non- 
participation in meeting, or for non-performance of com- 
mittee work, then he is absolved, but no other reason can 
excuse him. Just so is it in all other matters. Keep your 
conscience unwarped and tender, and then with prayer 
take every doubtful matter to that tribunal and you will 
not go far wrong. 

TRY EARNEST WORK. 

One more thing, earnest work is a great solvent for all 
these difficult problems, and here again the Society of 
Christian Endeavor comes in to help you. Enter into the 
work with all your heart ; always be found in your place 
in the prayer-meeting ; take up the committee work to 
which you are appointed as though you were called by God 
to do it, as assuredly you are ; learn by blessed, practical 
experience something of the "joy of service," and all these 
other questions will settle themselves. 

You will find a happiness and satisfaction in this whole- 
hearted devotion that you never dreamed of before. You 
will not continually be asking, " Can I do this .?" " May I 
not indulge in that .'* " You will want to do the things you 
ought to do ; and these doubtful matters will seem so insig- 
nificant and paltry that you will be willing to forego them 
until you are sure they are right for you. Try it and see. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

CONCERNING INTERDENOMINATIONALISM. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

One important matter which found expression at a recent 
inspiring Minnesota convention, I understand, was the 



326 • JVaj^s and Means. 

interdenominational character of our societies, and we are 
informed that "whenever the interdenominational features 
of Christian Endeavor work were mentioned, prolonged 
applause resulted." This sentiment has been characteris- 
tic of other conventions. I have not said much about the 
matter in these columns, thinking that it would take care 
of itself, and that this feature of our work would commend 
itself to all fair-minded Christians. Evidently, however, 
the pastors and the churches and the young people them- 
selves are not slow to see the great advantage of inspira- 
tion which comes from interdenominational co-operation, 
and it is a matter well worth dwelling upon. For my part 
I cannot see how any Christian, looking at the facts as 
they are, can help rejoicing in this aspect of a society 
which, while holding its young people .loyal to their own 
churches and denominations, as one of its essential features, 
affords them such a chance to broaden their fellowship 
and increase their friendships among Christians of all 
denominations that honor Jesus. 

SOME LOOK ASKANCE. 

I can understand how some might look askance at the 
movement if the tendency was to obliterate all denomina- 
tional lines and amalgamate all Christians into one great 
denomination, for there is much to be said in favor of 
denominations ; they stand for ideas, and when denomina- 
tional interests are conducted in the spirit of brotherly 
love, more can be accomplished for the common Master, 
I believe, when the army is thus divided into regiments 
and corps. There is nothing to be said for the spirit that 
would keep Christians, young or old, from coming together 
for mutual help and conference, and for the spirit that 
would say to them, " You must never step out of your own 
little corner of the vineyard, even to attend a convention 
of vinedressers, and even though it be for the sake of 
learning how to go back and cultivate and prune your own 
vines better." This is not tlie spirit that can prevail in 



Ways and Means. 327 

this latter quarter of the nineteenth century, and it is not 
the spirit which is prevailing in any denomination, as a 
whole, so far as I know. 

DENOMINATIONAL LOYALTY CULTIVATED. 

It ought to be distinctly understood that love for and 
loyalty to one's own denomination is distinctly cultivated 
by the Christian Endeavor Society. Just as essential as 
the prayer-meeting pledge to a true Christian Endeavor 
society is the underlying idea that each society exists for 
its own church. Every principle of the movement is an 
index finger pointing in this direction. Its whole history, 
from the second day of February, 1881, to the present day, 
tells this same story. Unless facts are perverted, nothing 
else can be proved but this, that the whole tendency of the 
society has been to lead the young people to love the 
church of their fathers and mothers, and to support it with 
a hearty enthusiasm that they have never known before. 

Let it be repeated once more : no society owes any alle- 
giance to any organization except its own church. The 
United Society has been careful to disclaim any authority. 
It desires to exert none. It makes no assessments. It 
imposes no conditions. It does not seek for uniformity of 
methods or constitution. It advocates certain principles, 
but only because experience has proved that they are 
essential to continued success. It seeks to give informa- 
tion and help the societies in every possible way, and that 
is all. 

UNGROUNDED FEARS. 

It is amusing to see how much afraid a few pastors are 
of a harmless little blank sent out by the United Society, 
asking for information. They have societies of Christian 
Endeavor, which have helped them in their work, they get 
the idea and copies of the constitution and other literature 
from the United Society free of all charge, but now fear 
that something may be demanded of them, and they refuse 
even a courteous answer to the question, "Have you a 



328 Ways and Means. 

society ? " There are only half a dozen such in the coun- 
try, however, so far as I know. Every society may be 
under denominational control ; every society may study the 
history and doctrine of its own church ; every society, 
along the lines of its own denomination, can best build up 
the kingdom of God. These are the principles and this 
the practice of the Christian Endeavor Society. Surely, 
when this is understood, no one would desire to prevent 
young Christians from coming together in conventions and 
union meetings for fellowship and mutual help. 

A GREAT ELEMENT OF JOWER. 

Of how much would our great State and national gather- 
ings be robbed if there ^vere not this free communion of 
members of different churches ! Presbyterians and Meth- 
odists, Baptists and Congregationalists, United Brethren 
and Disciples, Episcopalians and Friends, Lutherans and 
Moravians, as they meet together and pray and talk, one 
with another, learn to love not their denomination less, but 
Christ more. Let us never forget this important part of 
our mission, not to weaken denominational ties, but to 
show to all the world how "these Christians" (of all 
denominations) love one another. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

CONCERNING ANNIVERSARIES. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

Allow me to say a few words concerning anniversaries 
and conventions. 

The work of our societies has been largely advanced by 
means of such public meetings, and it is of great import- 
ance that they should be properly managed, and made 
productive of the highest good. But conditions change 
with the growth of such a society as ours, and I am 



Waj/s and Mca7is. 329 

inclined to think that the time has come, in some places, 
for us to revise our notions on the subject of 

ANNIVERSARIES. 

I am not sure that it is wise to celebrate every anniver- 
sary of every society with a public meeting, to which all the 
societies in the vicinity are invited. It was a very good 
plan to do this in the earlier days of the work, when socie- 
ties were few, and when the special principles of the move- 
ment could be explained at such meetings, and by this 
means interest be aroused. To hold such public anniversa- 
ries now is most desirable in sections of the country where 
the cause is little known, and when it can be advanced in 
this way, but ordinarily, I think it is quite as well for our 
societies, where Christian Endeavor unions exist, to cele- 
brate their own anniversaries quietly in their own church 
families just as the birthdays of the children are celebrated 
at home, and let the unions have the public meeting, when 
all the societies can be brought together. 

THE REASON FOR THIS. 

It will readily be seen that, where there are a hundred 
societies in the same city and its suburbs (as there are in 
more than one city), and where each society holds a pub- 
lic anniversary, and invites all the others in the vicinity, 
that it is difficult to find delegates who can attend. The 
result is inevitable. The attendance from outside will 
become smaller and smaller, the inviting society will be 
disappointed, and perhaps think it almost a slight that 
its invitation is not accepted. And yet no slight will 
be intended and no indifference will be indicated. It is 
simply an impossibility for an ordinary society to find 
suitable delegates to attend a hundred anniversaries in the 
course of the year, or even fifty anniversaries. 

Our work is to be done at home. Most of us have com- 
paratively little time to give to meetings held in any other 
place than our own church. Four or five times a year we 
can go, and perhaps oftener, but we cannot send delegates 



330 Ways and Means. 

to two or three anniversaries every week, strong as may be 
our feelings of brotherly interest in our neighbors. 

Besides, it is difficult to obtain speakers for so many 
anniversaries. Some few are overcrowded already, and, 
with all their evenings occupied, are obliged to decline a 
score of invitations every week. 

THIS APPLIES TO THE FUTURE. 

I am not criticising any anniversary that has been held. 
Perhaps, so far, there has not been one too many. Cer- 
tainly all that I have attended have been justified by 
peculiar circumstances ; but in the future, as societies 
multiply, let us celebrate them just the same, but celebrate 
them in our own church families. In sections where there 
are but few societies, where our principles are little known, 
or where there are, as yet, no unions, by all means make 
the most possible of these anniversaries. 

A few words about the programmes for these public 
meetings. 

don't overload the programme. 

The great danger always is that the evening will be too 
much crowded. I have myself made this mistake in 
arranging a programme more than once, so that I am 
making a kind of confession in this advice. A pro- 
gramme-maker, like the leader of a prayer-meeting, is 
always fearful lest "the time will not be occupied," and so 
he loads it down too heavily. 

Due allowance is not usually made for the time occu- 
pied by singing. Even a spirited congregational hymn 
takes usually five minutes ; but when the choir must have 
a chance to sing the Te Deum and the Ve?iite, and one 
or two long anthems beside, a half-hour is gone before 
one knows it. Then the reports from the societies, which 
are advertised to take one minute each, invariably take 
three minutes apiece, and another fifty or sixty minutes 
speed away. Then, if there are three speakers "from 
abroad," you can imagine how the last poor man feels as 



Ways and Means. 3 3 i 

he sees the hands on the dial getting on to ten o'clock, 
and the audience all the time growing smaller by degrees 
and beautifully less. - 

Moreover, it is a kind of imposition on a speaker to ask 
him to come a hundred miles, give up one or two days of 
valuable time, and then crowd him so that he cannot begin 
to give what he has carefully prepared, wdthout feeling 
that he is wearying the audience or trespassing upon some 
other person's time. At an ordinary anniversary or union 
meeting, one leading speaker is enough for the best 
results. When I w^as in England recently, the papers 
were complaining bitterly of this fault, that public religious 
meetings were degenerating because, instead of having one 
or two strong addresses, half a dozen ten or fifteen minute 
talks were crowded into the same evening. 

A DIFFERENCE TO BE OBSERVED. 

Do not misunderstand me. In the conventions where 
methods are discussed and where all-day sessions are 
held, have all the exercises brief, crisp, sharp; keep time 
with the bell, if necessary; in short, as has been said 
recently, conduct them on the principle of a Christian 
Endeavor prayer-meeting, at least until the hour comes 
which is set apart for the more elaborate address. 

It has been whispered to me (I hope it is wholly unnec- 
essary to repeat it), that it would be well to remind some 
societies to pay the expenses of their speakers who come 
from a distance, to take pains to welcome them cordially, 
and send them on their way again rejoicing. 

If these laborers do not ask any other "hire" (and I do 
not know that they ever do), they are at least worthy of 
their "expenses," and the heartiest kind of a reception, 
and if they ever fail to receive it, it is only from thought- 
lessness, which needs but a slight reminder to become 
though tfulness. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 



332 Ways and Means. 

OUR SOCIETIES IN THE VACATION SEASON. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

The time has come for the return of that "necessary 
evil," as it has been called, the summer vacation. That it 
is "necessary" in these high pressure days of American 
life, I do not think any one would dispute. The business 
man and the parson, the clerk and the school-boy, will all 
agree on that point. The proposition that it is an evil of 
any kind, necessary or unnecessary, would be received 
with a good deal more qualification, at least by certain 
school-boys of my acquaintance. From a religious stand- 
point, however, as our churches are constituted, I think 
there can be no question that the annual vacation is a seri- 
ous drawback in the work of the year. 

If it were only the loss of one month or two months in 
the middle of summer, that would be no inconsiderable 
loss ; but in addition to this, vacation means a slow recov- 
ery in the fall and a slackening up in church work in the 
spring, which leaves only four or five months for the most 
aggressive kind of Christian work. So we must recognize 
and do our best to counteract not the vacation, but its 
incidental evils. I hope every one of my readers will have 
a holiday season, but not vacation from religious service, 
only a change of service which will fit them for better 
work when they get home. But there are two or three 
things appropriate to be said just now. 

BEFORE VACATION. 

First, don't let the work drag in anticipation of the vaca- 
tion. It is very easy to say, " Well, there is only a month 
more before the Sunday School closes for the season; it 
will not make much difference if I am away." Or to say, 
"These short, hot evenings the prayer-meeting cannot be 
expected to keep up its numbers." Almost unconsciously 
we fall into the way of expecting the work to drag, and of 
not feeling very much coiuleinned if it should. Now, he 



Waj/s and Means. 333 

would be a poor engineer who should begin to slow up his 
engine two miles before he reached the station. He would 
certainly make no very good time. Let it be the ambi- 
tion of every Endeavor society to have just as good meet- 
ings in July as in January, and let every member do his 
part to make them so. One's religious constancy is tested 
a good deal more at such times than when every one else 
is at the flood tide of enthusiasm. These are just the 
months when our Christian Endeavor pledge and princi- 
ples should come to the front. 

AFTER THE VACATION. 

Then when you get back from your holiday excursion, 
throw yourself into the work again, at once. It may take 
an engine some little time to get up steam after leaving the 
station (to continue our railroad simile), but it ought not 
to take the Christian any time to get back into the spirit of 
work; for if he spends his vacation in the right way, he 
never gets out of the spirit of work. He should only come 
back fresher and stronger, and more ready than ever to do 
his part by reason of the rest and recreation that God has 
given him. 

DURING VACATION. 

And then during the vacation days how much can be 
done ! I do not advise an evangelistic tour or a preaching 
circuit, but in a quiet way wherever our inclination calls 
us; at the seashore, at the mountains, camping out on the 
shores of the lake, you will be within reach of some church 
or Sunday School or school-house meeting. Let us see 
that there is one more present and one more helpful voice 
heard, and one more dollar or half dollar in the contribu- 
tion box because we are spending a week near by. Think 
of it! Probably half of our Christian Endeavor members 
will go away from their homes somewhere this summer. 
There is an army of a quarter of a million, then, scattered 
here and there in almost every hamlet of the Union. 
Think of the opportunity! I have heard of many and 



334 Ways and Mea7is. 

many a church and Endeavor society formed during the 
vacation months by a "summer visitor" from some wide- 
awake society. There is no reason why our great army of 
vacationists should not leave behind them, when they 
return to their homes, at least a thousand societies. See 
if you cannot estabhsh one of these thousand. 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

AN INFALLIBLE TOUCHSTONE. 
A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society, 

There is only one excuse that is admitted in a Christian 
Endeavor Society, and that is, one that we can give with a 
clear conscience to the Lord Jesus Christ ; and I am writ- 
ing this letter to urge you all to bring everything to this 
touchstone. I remember finding, when I was a boy, a 
piece of sparkling iron pyrites. I did not more than half 
believe that it was gold, but I had a lingering hope that 
it might be ; so, without saying much about it, for fear of 
being laughed at, I took it to a jeweller's, and he very 
soon dispelled my last lingering hope by pouring a few 
drops of acid on my "gold" and destroying it utterly. 
Now I think that we can always test our excuses by taking 
them to Jesus Christ. 

APPLY THE TEST. 

Our school, our business, our health, the weather — do 
they furnish good reasons for not performing some accus- 
tomed duty, for not going to church or Sunday School or 
the Christian Endeavor meeting, or for not performing any 
one of a thousand duties ? Who can tell us ? The look- 
out committee doesn't know ; and our pastor may be inac- 
cessible, or unable to tell us if we could get at him ; and 
we ourselves are in doubt about it. What shall we do ? 
Why, apply the test. Get down on your knees by your- 
self, in your own room, if possible, and ask yourself if 



IVaj/s and Means. 335 

there, in His sight, that excuse satisfies your conscience. 
If so, you need no other. But if not, beware how you 
tamper with your sense of duty. 

A CONSCIENCE-QUICKENER. 

Now, it seems to me that just here our society may be 
used as a wonderful developer and quickener of conscience. 
If you will read the revised pledge carefully, you will see 
that in effect it twice uses these words, "Unless hindered 
by some reason which I can conscientiously give to the 
Master." These words did not get into the pledge by mis- 
take, or for the sake of rounding out a sentence, but 
because this is the only worthy excuse which a Christian 
can ever give, and because it puts the responsibility just 
where it belongs. Let me very earnestly beg the lookout 
committees and officers of our societies to make much of 
this. Insist on it. Keep it before your members. Do 
not try to decide too many matters for them ; but throw 
them back hard upon this question, "Is your reason for 
absence, or for the non-performance of any duty, one that 
you can give to Christ?" "If so, you need not tell it to 
us unless you choose ; but, if you feel that He accepts it, 
it is all right." Innumerable doubtful questions will this 
settle ; and, better than all, it will develop, as nothing else 
can, a Christian character that is at once stalwart and 
strong and tender. 

THE REASONABLENESS OF IT. 

It takes away, too, the last vestige of unreasonableness 
that may seem to be involved in the pledge. It asks no 
more of any member than Christ asks of him. It imposes 
no duty that Christ does not impose. If He were stand- 
ing by our side. He would demand just as much as our 
pledge demands, and every Christian ought to be ashamed 
to offer any poorer excuse. 

DANCING, ET AL. 

And would not this same idea of responsibility and 
accountability to Him for everything settle a thousand 



336 Waj^s and Means. 

other perplexing questions? O, how many questions con- 
cerning dancing and card-playing and theatre-going I am 
asked to answer in the course of the year! I always 
refuse to answer them when I can, and always dislike to 
have them asked. Of what use is my opinion? Of how 
little use is any man's opinion ! To rely upon the advice 
of some one else, instead of having an inward principle 
and an inward monitor to decide these things, is hke send- 
ing a hundred miles for a cup of water, when you might 
go to the unfailing spring right in your own dooryard. 
The cup of water from the distance may quench thirst 
for a little while ; but in another hour we shall be thirsty 
again. Why not go to the original spring and source of 
all living water ? Ask Christ about the theatre and the 
ball. Would He have you go? Will He go with you? 
Will you feel easy and comfortable in your own mind 
while there? Can you go from there to a highly spiritual 
prayer-meeting and feel no incongruity? Please do not 
ask my opinion again. It isn't worth the asking. But 
do bring everything to this touchstone, and ask, " Can I 
do this, or can I refuse to do that, and not feel uneasy 
and conscience-stricken, with Christ's eye upon me?" 
Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 

TO YOUNG CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS 
OF THE SOCIETY. 

A Familiar Letter from the President of the United Society. 

Let me write a few words to those of you who are not 
active members of the Society of Christian Endeavor, but 
who ought to be. I will take it for granted that a society 
exists in your church, that you are among the Christian 
young people of the community, and, perhaps, members of 
the church, and yet for various reasons you are not mem- 
bers of the society. 



Waj^s and Means, 337 

I am not blaming you at all for being slow and cautious 
about taking such a step. This is altogether commenda- 
ble. Any obligations should be weighed before they are 
assumed. Yet many of you have had plenty of time to 
consider these obligations, and still you hesitate Your 
companions have often urged you to come with them into 
the society as active members, and you know that they 
need you and want your aid. Why do you hesitate.'' I 
wonder if I can suggest any of the reasons, and possibly 
remove your objections. 

- DOES THE PLEDGE STAND IN THE WAY? 

It does with some conscientious young Christians, I 
know ; but I think it is usually because they have not con- 
sidered it carefully, or, possibly, even read it candidly. 
The part of it that relates particularly to the society reads, 
" I will attend every weekly meeting of the society, and 
will take some part, aside from singing, in every meeting, 
unless prevented by some reason that I can conscientiously 
give to my Master, Jesus Christ." Is there anything 
unreasonable to ask of a young Christian in that ? You 
acknowledge, doubtless, that it is well to have a young peo- 
ple's prayer-meeting, and that somebody ought to sustain 
it. But who is that somebody ? The other young Chris- 
tians ? But why should they do this if you are unwilling 
to do your part? But possibly you say again, "I don't 
like to promise all this. I am willing to do what I can, 
but I dislike to pledge myself to do it." If you say this let 
me ask you to 

READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN. 

"Unless prevented by some reason which I can consci- 
entiously give to my master Jesus Christ." 

Does not this phrase make it possible for the most ten- 
der conscience to accept it? If the prayer-meeting is 
something which ought to be sustained, and if it is a Chris- 
tian's duty to sustain it, then the only excuse which can be 
given by any Christian for not attending and doing his part 



33 8 IVaj/s and Means. 

in any particular meeting is some excuse which can be 
conscientiously given to the Master, Jesus Christ. There 
is no other excuse possible to any true Christian for ihe 
non-performance of any duty. Why, then, should you 
shrink from taking this pledge thus explained ? 

A MATTER FOR EVERY ONE's CONSCIENCE TO DECIDE. 

There are no inquisitors on hand to wring from you the 
exact nature of your excuse, unless you choose to give it. 
If you have one that satisfies your own conscience, it will 
be enough to say so to the lookout committee or to the 
society. You need not go into particulars except with 
your own conscience. Be sure that you have no doubt 
that you have an excuse that Christ would accept. Then 
you can be at rest. But if you have a doubt, lean to the 
side of performance rather than non-performance. 

When the evening of the monthly consecration-meeting 
comes, it surely is not usually too much to send a brief 
note to the meeting, saying you cannot be present and 
expressing your interest in and thought for your friends, 
or, at least, to send a verbal message to the society by 
some one who attends. 

But even here the pledge is carefully guarded, and the 
words *'if possible" are introduced. "If obliged to be 
absent from the monthly consecration or experience meet- 
ing, I will, if possible, send an excuse by some one who 
attends." No impossibility is asked or promised. If you 
are suddenly taken ill, or if unexpectedly you find yourself 
a hundred miles or ten miles away from the consecration- 
meeting when the hour arrives, you have broken no prom- 
ise by not sending an excuse. 

THE SAME vows INVOLVED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. 

Some of you who hesitate about joining the society on 
this account are church-members, and yet I do not see how 
you can consistently be members of the' church without 



Wajys and Mea^is, 339 

taking just such vows. You promised, when you joined 
the church, to serve God with all your heart, and to sus- 
tain the worship and ordinances of the church. This 
prayer-meeting is one of her ordinances for the young in 
churches where Societies of Christian Endeavor exist. Of 
course, if you have a good reason for not belonging to the 
society and sustaining its meetings, you are excused ; but 
if you have not, the vows of church membership embrace 
the vows of society membership and a thousand times 
more. In fact, the very first vow you uttered when you 
became a Christian, and without which you could not have 
become a Christian, involved everything which the most 
stringent Christian Endeavor pledge ever asked. 

CAPTIOUS AND PETTY EXCUSES. 

I feel confident that few, if any, of the young Christians 
to whom I write would offer any captious reason for not 
joining the society. And yet I have occasionally heard 
these reasons advanced. One young lady, with a toss of 
her curly head, said "she wasn't going to join any such 
absurd society, for then she could never stir away from 
home, even for a summer vacation ! " She knew, as well as 
I did, that that was simply a captious excuse, and I think 
she must have noticed how silly it sounded. Others refuse 
to join because of love for some previous organization that 
once existed in the church, or because of some one in the 
society whom they dislike, or because of some action taken 
that they did not approve, but I am convinced that these 
objections, when seriously looked at, will not weigh an 
ounce in the mind of a faithful young Christian who will 
do all that he can for the Master. Such an one will not let 
private likes or dislikes or personal reasons of this kind 
keep him from any real service. 

Your objections have been genuine and honest, I am 
confident, but have been founded on a misapprehension. 
Think the matter over again, pray about it earnestly, and I 



340 Waj/s and Means. 

think you will soon gladden the hearts of your friends, and 
find new and large opportunities for serving your Lord, by 
enrolling yourselves as active members of the Society of 
Christian Endeavor. 

Your friend, 

Francis E. Clark. 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



Part I. 

PAGE 

A Short History of the Christian Endeavor Movement i 

Part II. 
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor 

What it is and how it works 15 

The model constitution 22 

Specimen by-laws given as hints for the regulation of 

local societies ....... 28 

The best way of training young Christians ... ^3 
Seven reasons for commending the Young People's 

Society of Christian Endeavor .... 36 

Some eloquent indorsements 38 

A pastor's objections answered ..... 40 

Distinguishing features 41 

How to start a society 42 

Part III. 

The Membership 

Practical questions concerning active membership . 43 

For associate members 44 

How can we help our associate members ? . . . 48 

Practical questions concerning associate members . 50 

Concerning affiliated members 51 

The reception of new members 54 



Index of Subjects. 



Part IV. 



The Prayer-Meeting 



The new prayer-meeting ..... 

Notes and suggestions upon the prayer-meeting 
Nonsense concerning the prayer-meeting 
The prayer-meeting the test of a good society 
A good prayer- meeting ...... 

Some little foxes which mar the prayer-meeting vine 
Some more " trifles " that make perfection 
How shall we take part in the Christian Endeavor 
meetings .''....... 

Two suggestions for the ideal prayer-meeting 
Various kinds of meetings . : . . . 
A prayer-meeting programme . . ' . 

I couldn't think of anything to say 
Ways, themes, sources ...*.. 
Hints concerning methods for the prayer-meeting 
Practical questions concerning the prayer-meeting 

Part V. 



The Prayer-Meeting Pledge 

For what does the pledge stand 
Something more concerning the pledge 
Magnetizing the iron-clad pledge . 
Invertebrate societies .... 
The interpretation of the pledge . 
Practical questions concerning the pledge 



57 
64 
70 

72 
75 
79 
82 

85 
88 
89 
94 
95 
95 
96 
98 



100 
104 
108 
108 
III 
114 



Part VI. 
The Consecration-Meeting 

Concerning the consecration-meeting . . . . 

Calling the roll 

A successful consecration-meeting . . . . 

Does an earnest Christian need the consecration- 
meeting ......... 

The personal element in the consecration-meeting 

The consecration-meeting 

Helpful hints for the consecration service 

Think on these things ....... 

A testimony receipt . . . . - . 



117 
120 
121 

122 
123 
125 
127 
12S 
129 



Index of Subjects. 

Part VII. 
For Leaders of Prayer-Meetings 

Hints to leaders of prayer-meetings .... 132 
Helpful hints about leading a meeting . . . . 135 
Promptness . " » "^Zl 

Part VIII. 
Officers and Committees 

The duties of officers . . . . . . 140 

A talk with some of the committees . . . . 144 

Practical questions concerning the committees . . 147 

Part IX. 
The Lookout Committee 



151 

155 
157 
159 
160 
161 



The lookout committee and its work 
Eyes wide open .... 
Hints for the lookout committee . 
Something for each of us now to do 
Suggestion for lookout committees 
Covenant reminders 

Part X. 

Prayer-Meeting Committee 

Hints for the prayer-meeting committee . . . 162 

"General utility men " 163 

The work of the prayer-meeting committee . . . 164 

More hints for the prayer-meeting committee . . 166 

A prayer-meeting letter 169 

Some New Year letters 170 

Minute men . . . . . „ . . • 171 

Careful preparation 171 

Suggestions for the Christian Endeavor prayer-meeting 172 

Part XI. 

The Social Committee 

Suggestions for the social committee .... 174 

Plans for socials . 177 

Methods for social entertainment 178 



Index of Subjects, 

Entertainments suggested i8o 

Games for social gatherings 192 

A good test 194 

Practical questions concerning socials . . . ' . 195 

Part XII. 

Music, Temperance, Missionary and Sunday School Com- 
mittees 



Music — 

Music and music committee . 

The ministry of song •. . , . 

" Overworking the hymn-book " 

A Christian Endeavor choir . 
Temperance — 

Work of the temperance committee 

The temperance committee 
Missionary — 

Christian Endeavor and missions . 

How to give ..... 

Some methods of raising money . 

The Christian Endeavor Society and Young Peo 
pie's Missionary organizations 

For the missionary committee 

Missionary work .... 

How one mission circle works 

Practical questions concerning the work of the 
missionary committee 
Sunday School — 

Hints for the Sunday School committee 



197 
200 
203 
204 

206 

208 

209 
213 
216 

217 
219 
220 
220 



Part XIIL 



Miscellaneous Committees 

Good literature committee 
The "Omnibus Committee" 
Calling and flower committee 
Pastor's committee 
Messenger committee 
Christian Endeavor classes . 
For the hotel committees 



224 

225 
226 

227 
2-7 
--7 

2CS 



Index of Subjects. 



Part XIV. 



Miscellaneous 



A Christian Endeavor parlor for young men and boys 

An invitation .... 

For young societies 

Correspondence between societies 

Saving time ..... 

A good word for the badge . 

Suggestions for anniversaries 

Hotel invitations .... 

A Christian Endeavor savings bank 

Practical questions 

Suggestions for summer miss 

Newspaper exchange 

A prayer-circle card 

A monthly conference 

Society visitation . 



onary work 



230 
232 
232 
233 
234 
234 
235 
23s 
236 
236 

237 
238 

238 
239 
240 



Part XV. 



Business Meetings 



A familiar letter from the President of the United 

Society ......... 241 

Practical questions concerning business meetings . . 245 

Reports of committees . . . . . . . 246 

Part XVI. 

The United Society — Local and State Unions 



The United Society ....... 

Christian Endeavor unions. — Their helpfulness and 

possibilities ..... 
Concerning local unions 
The ideal programme for a local union 
Concerning the ideal convention . 
How to prepare for a State convention . 
An ideal State-convention programme . 
Practical questions concerning united society local 

unions, etc. ........ 



250 

253 
256 
260 
261 
265 
267 

269 



Index of Sttbjects. 

Part XVII 

Junior Societies 

A familiar letter by the President of the United 

Society , ... 271 

Work among children ....... 273 

The junior society of Christian Endeavor . . . 277 

How one pastor manages his junior society . . . 280 

Part XVIII. 

Reorganization 

Concerning reorganization 282 

How to reorganize 284 

A practical example . . . . . . . 286 

Practical questions concerning reorganization . . 287 

Part XIX. 

The Society in a Revival 

A familiar letter from the President of The United 

Society ......... 289 

Our society and our revival 292 

Part XX. 

The Society as a Part of the Church 

Sustaining the church services 295 

Gaining the confidence of the church .... 298 

For the beginning of the church year .... 301 
The alumni of Y. P. S. C. E. — The church of the 

future 304 

Part XXI. 

Societies in City and Country 

Concerning a large society . . . . • • 3°^ 

Christian Endeavor work in the country . . . 312 

Part XXII. 
Woman's Work 

Woman's work in Christian Endeavor ... . . 3*7 



Index of Subjects. 



Part XXIII. 



Familiar Letters on Various Topics 

Doubtful amusements . 
Concerning interdenominationalism 
Concerning anniversaries 
Our societies in the vacation season 
An infallible touchstone 
To young Christians who are not members of the 
society 



322 

325 
328 
332 
334 

336 



INDEX OF AUTHORS. 



Adrian ce, S. W. 














88 


Allen, Jessica Wolcott 














; . 85 


Amerman, W. L. 














75, 225 


Baker, Smith 














70 


Barrows, John Henry 
















38 


Bartlett, C. A. 
















166 


Brandell, Millie E . 
















. 96 


Bruhlman, Otto C. . 
















227 


Canfield, James 
















232 


Caswell, Mrs. 
















216 


Childs, W. H. 
















.' 260 


Christy, A. B. 












' 


161 


Clark, F. E. . 


h 15 


44, 


51, 


54, 7 


2, 79 


, 82, 100, 104 


HI, 117, I2C 


, 132 


, 140, 


151, 


174, 197, 209 


213, 241, 250 


,256 


261, 


271, 


284, 289, 295 


298, 301, 30S 


, 322 


325, 


32S, 


332, 334, 336 


Colbum, H. E 








178, 192 


Creighton, W. S. . 














39 


Cromer, J. C. 
















206 


C. D. S. . 
















129 


Dana, Mary F. 
















273 


Darby, W. J. 
















39 


Dumm, Mrs. W. W. 
















123 


Francis, John 
















1S7 


F. D. G. 
















183 



Index of Authors. 

Goodrich, Charles N. . 200 

Hamilton, J. W 39 

riamlin, T. S 38 

Helwig, J. B. ......... . 40 

Hill, James L. . 64, 144 

Hill, Mrs. James L. 217 

Hoyt, Wayland 33' 57 

Hudson, M. A. . . . . . . . . . 164 

Jackson, J. C 157, 162 

Kinney, H. N. 267 

Loomis, E. R 227 

Lowell, D. R 48 

Mitchella 180 

Newton, A. F 238 

NiccollsJ. S 38, 228 

Northrop, Charles A 204 

Noyes, E. M 222 

Pepper, H. Howard 226 

Plass, Norman 108, 277 

Pope, H. W 127, 160, 280 

Pratt, Dwight M 137 

Rand, George A 90 

Robinson, Edward A. 172 

Scudder, Mrs. Alice May . 317 

Sewall, John L. 265, 292 

Seymour, Mrs. C. R. 185 

Sigma . 208 

Smith, Albert D 95 

Talladay, Mrs. J. W. 95 

Temple, W. H. G 155 

Twitchell, Justin E 253 

Tyler, J. Z 36. 39 

Ward, George M 282 

Wells, Amos R. 125 

Wells, Geo. H 38 

Winslow, Mrs. E. M. 312 

Yatman, C. H 128 



AIDS TO ENDEAVOR. 

12mo, cloth, .75; gilt edges, $1.00. 

Selections from standard authors designed for the 
public and private use of members of the Y. P. S. 
C. E. It also contains an Introduction and a richly 
suggestive talk with leaders of meetings by Francis 
E. Clark, President of the Y. P. S. C. E. This 
latter alone makes " Aids to Endeavor '* almost as 
indispensable a part of the Christian Endeavor outfit 
as Bible, hymn-book and pledge-card. 



A handy and ven' handsomely published little book, made up of 
a great number of short, apt selections in prose and verse, from a 
wide variety of devout writers, containing such bits of Christian 
wisdom, such bright, pat, kindly and kindling utterances as are 
fitted to be really helpful to the young Christian. — Chicago A dvatice. 

The book is a good idea, happily conceived and worthily wrought 
out. The selectfons are uniformly of a high and uplifting grade, 
and in the hands of members of Christian Endeavor Societies the 
book will fulfill a very helpful rnission. — Rev. Charles P. Mills, 
Newburyport, Mass. 

It is equally suitable for general reading, an admirable book for 
the center-table, and one a young man may have in his pocket for 
leisure reading. — Herald a?id Presbyter. 

These short selections are invariably devotional in spirit, and the 
book might very well be called "Aids to Devotion." — Interior, 
Chicago. 

It is admirably done and will certainly be found of great help to 
timid young Christians, especially in connection with the weekly 
prayer-meetings. — Detroit Trilnai^. 

Our young people will find " Aids to Endeavor " a rich store- 
house of precious thoughts and inspiring suggestions. — The As- 
sista7it Pastor, Pittsfield. 

It will be at once a tonic for the live societies and new life for the 
moribund. — Albatiy Joiirttal. 

!Many young members hesitate to express their own thoughts be- 
fore others, and it was to furnish such with appropriate utterances 
for the occasion, that the little work before us was compiled. — 
Z loft's A dvocate, Portland. 

This is a good hand-book for all young Christians, as well as for 
members of the Y. P. S. C E. It ought to have a large circulation 
:.iid do a great deal of good. — The Occident, San Francisco. 

The selections are made with excellent taste and care, and cannot 
fail to be helpful to young Christians. — Zioti's Herald. 



OUR BUSINESS BOYS. 

By rev. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 
16mo, .60. 

This little book contains an amount of valuable truth quite out of 
proportion to its small compass. . . . It is the condensed tes- 
timon}' of the successful majority as to the qualities which go to the 
making of success. — Christiafi Register, Boston. 

It is not often that a book is packed so full of good sense and the 
best experience. It is a first-class present for young men, and will 
afford many valuable hints to those who talk to the young. — Smt- 
day School Journal. 

This little work comes before the public at a most opportune 
season, for the reason that the problem of " What shall we do with 
our boys ? " and what methods will best secure their success in life, 
is one that is engaging the minds of fathers and mothers throughout 
all this broad land. — N. Y. A nalysis. 

The author stops in his formula for success to remark that every 
rich man is not by any means tndy successful, nor is every poor 
man unsuccessful ; for many things may be bought too dear. — 
Philadelphia Ledger. 



OUR TOWN. 

By MARGARET SIDNEY. 

12mo, $1.25. 

Written for and dedicated to all the Young Peo- 
ple's Societies of Christian Endeavor. 

Margaret Sidney makes interesting the homeliest and most ordi- 
nary aspects of daily life, and imparts to duty the glory of doing, 
and to wtue its own reward. — I-uter-Ocean. 

It is one of those rare stories which teach a lovely lesson without 
seeming to know it. — Toledo Bee. 

Like all the stories that come from the pea of Margaret Sidney, 
" Our Town " evinces the strong love of humanity that must be'a 
heart sentiment, that bubbles over with clarified humor and with a 
plain common sense that are dehghtful and fascinating to some 
besides young readers. — Hojnejojir^tal, Boston. 

Some of the methods here followed may serve as suggestions to 
others who are seeking for practical work for their members. — 
Christiajt Observer, Loiiis\nlle, Ky. 

New uses and new possibilities for the Y. P. S. C. E. are out- 
lined in this stor>'. — Nort/wrn Christiafi A dvocate, Syracuse. 

" Our Town " illustrates what the Cliristian Endeavor Society is 
doing to solve the problem of bettering connnunities, and the book 
is full of brightness and action. — Tfie Morning Star. 



The Mossback Correspondence. 

By rev. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 
12mo, $1.00. 

The book will be a capital one for a parish or Sunday-school 
library, and would be as great a friend and helper to the preacher, 
in its way, as the more elaborate and studied " Parish Problems." 
It is often keen, always kindly, never dull. — Chrisiiati Union. 

There is much sohd, practical sense in these brief epistles of 
Mossback, which it would be well for every one to appropriate. 
There is a dry humor pervading the whole which dulls the keen 
edge of his satire and the sharp point of his wit. —Zion''s Herald. 

Its author is as sensible as the late Dr. Holland, but more con- 
cise; and what, by this comparison, he loses in grace, he gains in 
pithiness. — Sunday School Times. 

Full of sound sense and wholesome advice, and permeated by a 
most kindly spirit. The style is charmingly direct and crisp, and 
the frequent "hits" will be keenly appreciated, especially by 
Christian workers. — The Inqjiirer, New York. 



CHRISSY'S ENDEAVOR. 

By "PANSY." 
12mo, $1.50. 

Mrs. Alden could not vvrite a dull or purposeless book if she 
tried. This will douKiess attain a wide circulation. — Lutheran 
Observer, Philadelphia. 

This charming story of Chrissy HoUister's experience in her 
labors for Christ, the beautiful truths herein illustrated and empha- 
sized, cannot fail to be of great benefit and encouragement to all 
workers for the cause. — Portlaftd Tratiscript. 

The book ought to be in every Sunday-school library. . . . 
It would leave an indelible impression on all earnest minds as to 
the duties and privileges connected with membership in the Y. P. 
S. C. E. — Weekly Witfiess, New York. 

There is a great deal in the book which will help those who are 
trying to start branches of this league, or who are already interested 
in its methods. — Watchman, Boston. 

The huge convention in this city proved to the wondering masses 
who attended that the Christian Endeavor organization had come 
to stay. "Pansy," in giving this story, does more — gives the 
purposes of this body represented by so many thousands. — Phila- 
delphia MetJiodist. 

It makes a fine distinction between societies of the true and the 
false kind. — Christian Secretary, Hartford, 



DANGER SIGNALS. 

By rev. F. E. CLARK, D. D. 
12mo, .75. 

The "signals" displayed are to warn young readers against the 
perils of intemperance, corrupt and trashy literature, low theatres, 
gambling, impurity, frivolity and dishonesty. The addresses are 
strong, pungent discourses with words that go home like arrows. — 
Christian Iiidex, Atlanta, Ga. 

Many books of advice have been written for the young, but there 
are exceedingly few that the young will read. We believe that this 
volume, like Holland's Letters, is likely to prove an exception. — 
The A dvance, Chicago, 

There is enough to save a generation of young men if they 
would give heed thereto. Put this book in the trunk of the young 
man when he leaves home for business life, or college or even for a 
summer vacation. — Christiatt Uttion, New York. 

If the young girls would read this book, they would get a better 
idea of the dangers which beset their sweethearts and brothers, 
and would get points, too, of dangerous tendencies, which, if they 
can check, may prevent them speechless misery in future life. — 
Se}ni7iariutn. 

It is a book which should not only be put in the hands of the 
young, but parents ought to read these thrilling words. The eyes 
of many may thus be opened to the perils which beset the paths of 
their children. — National Baptist, Philadelphia. 

Among the active men who are devoting their lives to philan- 
thropy and Christian work, there is no one more earnest in behalf 
of the young of our land than the author of this important little 
book, who is the president of the United Society of Christian 
Endeavor. — Journal of Edtication, Boston. 

Mr. Clark, fearing lest it should be taken for granted that a min- 
ister had not enough knowledge of the world intelligently to counsel 
young business men, asked and received letters from many success- 
ful Boston merchants, pointing out the special dangers to which 
city boys are constantly exposed. — N. Y. Witness. 

It is very seldom that anything is written more important for our 
young people. The devil is extremely busy, more busy I fear than 
some easy-going parents think, and I am glad you have had the 
courage to speak out so boldly. The book ought to be read by 
everybody, old and young. " To be forewarned is to be forearmed." 
— Samuel B. Capen, of Torrey, Bright &= Capen. 



At the Bookstores, or sent postpaid by tlie PuWishers, 
D. LOTHROP COMPANY, 

364 and 366 Washington Street, Boston. 



6^, 

C 



